Following an impressive performance against Ghana in a friendly last weekend, Bruce Arena has kept most of that lineup intact for the United States’ opening Gold Cup match. However, he has made two changes to face Panama.
USA vs. Panama, 2017 Gold Cup: Lineups
Bruce Arena has made two changes from the USMNT’s last match.
Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images
Omar Gonzalez comes into the center of defense, replacing Matt Hedges. While Hedges performed very well, Gonzalez is the more experienced player, and similar stylistically. The other change is on the wing, where Alejandro Bedoya is in for Paul Arriola. Bedoya isn’t as dangerous of a goal-scoring threat, but will do more defensive work.
Arena will be hoping that Dom Dwyer can put together a repeat performance after playing well in his debut. The English-American scored his first ever international goal against the Black Stars, and also created a half-dozen other decent chances with his pace and high work rate.
Expect to see a physical battle in midfield during this game. Dax McCarty and Kellyn Acosta are going to have their hands full with Panamanian duo Gabriel Gomez and Anibal Godoy.
United States lineup (4-2-3-1): Brad Guzan; Jorge Villafaña, Matt Besler, Omar Gonzalez, Graham Zusi; Dax McCarty, Kellyn Acosta; Kelyn Rowe, Joe Corona, Alejandro Bedoya; Dom Dwyer
Panama lineup (4-4-2): José Calderón; Luis Ovalle, Roberto Chen, Jan Carlos Vargas, Michael Amir Murillo; Miguel Camargo, Anibal Godoy, Gabriel Gomez, Édgar Yoel Bárcenas; Gabriel Torres, Ismael Díaz
The game kicks off at 4:50 p.m. ET from Nashville. You can catch it on the FOX network or Univision.
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