When El Tri and Panama take the pitch for their upcoming Gold Cup semifinal match, both teams will know who awaits the winner in the final, since the United States and Honduras will have already completed their semifinal contest.
Advancing past Trinidad & Tobago in the quarterfinal round, El Tri has certainly come together for head coach Jose Manuel de la Torre throughout the tournament, something that has fans of the team excited again since the club has experienced its fair share of struggles this year.
RELATED: Top 10 Players In The 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup [PHOTOS]
While Mexico is playing solid soccer at the right time, its semifinal opponent comes into the semifinal round flying high as well. Narrowly edging Mexico to claim Group A, the Panamanian national team hopes to duplicate the outcome of the tournament opener, when the club took down El Tri 2-1.
When and Where to Watch Semifinal Match
Mexico and Panama will meet on Wednesday, July 24th at 10:00pm, ET. Playing the match at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, fans of each team can watch the game on both the FOX Soccer Channel and the Univision Network with pregame coverage beginning at 9:00pm.
Those electing to watch the game on-line can do so by visiting FOX Soccer 2 Go.
Match Preview
Panama took down El Tri for the first time in history to start its Gold Cup tournament.
Thanks to 2 strikes from premier scorer Gabriel Torres, the Panamanian nationals were able to put away the pre-tournament Group A favorites en route to claiming the top spot.
Though the opening round victory over Wednesday night's opponent was certainly impressive and a big leap forward for a talented Panama squad, head coach Dely Valdes says anything that happened in the group stage - good or bad - has no impact on what happens this time around.
RELATED: Manchester United Transfer Rumors: Latest On Man U's Pursuit Of Cesc Fabregas, Gareth Bale And Future Of Wayne Rooney
"To play a game in the group stage has nothing to do with the semifinal match," Valdes said to CONCACAF reporters. "The semifinal match is to win or to lose. It is to defeat or to die. We have to try to be the most perfect that we can. We have to try to be our best because the slightest error could leave us out of the competition."
In order to upend Mexico for the second time in less than 3 weeks, Panama will rely on the offensive play of Torres once again. Tied with United States striker Chris Wondolowski with 5 goals in the tournament, Torres along with international superstar Blas Perez will undoubtedly be looked upon as the offensive leaders throughout Wednesday night's tilt in Arlington.
Panama enters the semis off an impressive 6-1 win over Cuba and in order to slow down the frenetic pace of the Panamanian offense, El Tri will need a flawless defensive effort while putting forth a strong offensive performance.
RELATED: Manchester United Transfer Rumors: Wayne Rooney Headed To Man U Premier League Rival Chelsea?
A goal in the 84th minute of the T&T match from Raul Jimenez sent Mexico to the semifinals but if they're to take down Panama and play for the club's seventh Gold Cup championship, El Tri will need to be more efficient on the offensive side of the field.
With 3 games under their belts since dropping the opener to Panama, El Tri and defender Miguel Layun feel confident in the team's ability compete against the Group A winners.
"It's going to be different because we have a few more games to get ourselves involved, to work with other teammates because we had a really short time to prepare for this Cup," Layun told CONCACF reporters regarding the upcoming match. "I think that's really going to be the difference. It's going to be a really interesting game."
Wrap Up
Don't miss what should be an electric semifinal match between Mexico and Panama on Wednesday, July 24th at 10:00pm, ET. Television coverage will be provided by the FOX Soccer Channel and the Univision Network with an on-line live stream available by visiting FOX Soccer 2 Go.
© 2024 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
