After meeting with disappointment in their Olympic qualifying run ahead of the 2012 games in London, the United States are focused on making sure they punch their ticket to the 2016 Olympics in Brazil. So far in Olympic qualifying, so good -- the USMNT U-23’s have scored nine goals in two huge wins, and now that they’re facing Panama to close their CONCACAF qualifying group, they need just one single point to guarantee the top spot in the group.
USA vs. Panama 2015: Time, TV schedule and team news for Olympic qualifying soccer
One point is all the United States need to clinch the top spot in the group, but another win would be stellar.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The US have already assured themselves a place in the semifinals with their two wins, but assuring that top spot in the group could be huge. They want to avoid Mexico until the final if at all possible, so taking that top spot and avoiding the winner of the Mexico-Honduras showdown in group B on Wednesday will be their goal. A draw is all that the US need from this match in order to assure themselves that group victory -- but hey, why not get that third win and celebrate a perfect group stage while you’re at it?
Key player -- Luis Gil (United States)
Gil was once the next big star in the United States’ talent pool, but the last couple of years have seen his development take a big step back. This tournament was seen as as a chance for him to come back out of his shell and dominate again -- but Gil was only used as a substitute against Canada, albeit a goal-scoring one, and was somewhat underwhelming in his start against Cuba, a match that the US dominated. He needs to play and play well in this match to get his confidence back on track as the finals approach, because the US need a player with his skills to be playing well, both for the Olympics and in the senior side.
Key matchup -- Wil Trapp (United States) vs. Miguel Camargo (Panama)
Trapp has been a high-impact presence in the middle of the US midfield through their first two matches, and despite being just 22, he’s already one of the best defensive midfielders in the USMNT player pool. He’s going to have to show that form again in this match, as he’ll be facing down an opponent in Camargo that ran roughshod over Cuba’s midfield when Panama earned their lone point in the group so far, and was Panama’s one standout in their loss against Canada. For the US to have their best chance at a win, Trapp needs to keep Camargo at bay and take away the man who might be Panama’s most dangerous weapon.
Match Date/Time: Tuesday, 9:30 p.m. ET, 7:30 p.m. local
Venue: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colorado, United States
TV: NBC Universo (U.S. - Spanish)
See More:
