It’s been a rocky ride for Mexico and Panama in this year’s Gold Cup, but eventually, they met expectations and figured out how to get to the semifinals. On Wednesday, they’ll play for a spot in the final alongside the winner of the earlier semifinal between the United States and Jamaica.
Panama vs. Mexico, Gold Cup 2015: Time, TV schedule and team news
It’s been a tough tournament for El Tri, but a final appearance is in sight.
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Panama were in a group with the U.S. and drew all of their games, including a disappointing draw against Haiti. They needed penalties to get by Trinidad and Tobago, but put together a solid performance in that game and look very capable of challenging El Tri.
Mexico should have needed a penalty shootout to get past Costa Rica in the last round, but were bailed out by a very favorable penalty call. Oribe Peralta embellished some contact in the box in the 120th minute, jumping into the air after a slight shove, and the referee bought it. CONCACAF officiating strikes again.
Key player: Luis Tejada
Veteran forward Luis Tejada hasn’t had the same impact as younger striker Gabriel Torres over the last couple of years, but he came up big with the opening goal in his team’s semifinal against a solid T&T side. Panama will need him to do a lot of work up top in this one, since they won’t have a ton of possession.
Key matchup: Armando Cooper vs. Hector Herrera
After shuttling his best central midfielder out to the right wing for a few games, Mexico coach Miguel Herrera finally came to his senses and started fielding a three-man center to give Hector Herrera some freedom to get forward and create. He's probably El Tri's best player and it'll be up to Panama defensive midfielder Armando Cooper to close off passing lanes between Herrera and Mexico's strikers.
Match date/time: Wednesday, 9 p.m. ET
Venue: Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
TV: Fox Sports 2 (U.S. -- English), UniMas (U.S. -- Spanish), Sportsnet World (Canada), BT Sport 1 (U.K.), Planeta Futbol, GolTV, Sky (Mexico)
Online: Fox Sports Go, Fox Soccer 2 Go (U.S. -- English), Univision Deportes en vivo (U.S. -- Spanish), Sportsnet World Now (Canada), BT Sport (U.K.)
Listings via Live Soccer TV.
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