USA Look to Build on Opening Victory
Panama vs USA Prediction: Can USA Seal Early Knockout Stage Berth?
CONCACAF Rivals Face Off
USA’s Copa America campaign got off to a good start, with a 2-0 win over Bolivia. On Thursday, the USA can qualify for the knockout stage with one game to spare by defeating Panama and a Uruguay win or draw against Bolivia. Panama fell 3-1 to Uruguay in their opening match but Los Canaleros have been steadily improving over the last few years. We’ll discuss if Panama have a chance to upset the USMNT as we make our Panama vs USA prediction later on.
Panama vs USA
Date & Time: Thursday, June 26th, 6:00 p.m. ET
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atalanta, GA, USA
Panama vs USA Head-to-Head
Last Summer, the USA and Panama met in the Gold Cup Semifinal. Both teams scored in extra time in a match which finished 1-1 but Panama won 6-5 on penalties. Granted, the USA didn’t call up almost all of their European-based stars. In 2022, Christian Pulisic scored a hat trick as the USA defeated Panama 5-1 in World Cup Qualifiers. Panama did win the reverse fixture, 1-0, though.
Our Panama vs USA prediction will consider that USA have won six of the last eight meetings between the sides. This meeting on the Copa America 2024 schedule is the first match between the two sides in the history of the tournament.
Panama Struggling in 2024
Panama played one of the strongest teams in the tournament in their first Copa America match. Los Canaleros couldn’t handle Uruguay’s attacking prowess and Panama fell 3-1. However, the match was close until Darwin Nuñez put Uruguay up 2-0 in the 85th minute. After Uruguay scored a third, Michael Murillo scored a great goal to make it 3-1. Murillo, who plays for Marseille, is Panama’s biggest attacking threat despite playing wingback.
In 2023, Gold Cup finalists Panama lost just three of their 17 games but they haven’t gotten off to a great start in 2024. Their only wins this year have come against minnows Guyana and Montserrat and Los Canaleros are 2-4. In matches versus Uruguay and Mexico, Panama have conceded three goals and they’re not the most defensively sound team.
Adalberto Carrasquilla is a solid midfielder, while Eric Davis and Yoel Barcenas provide a wealth of experience. Panama are lacking a bit in final third creativity and they’ve failed to score in three of their six matches this year. Panama likely need at least a point to stay alive as Uruguay are heavy favorites against Bolivia.
So Far, So Good for USA
Christian Pulisic put the USA ahead in their opening Copa America match against Bolivia under three minutes in. Folarin Balogun doubled USA’s lead just before halftime and the match finished 2-0. Next up on the USMNT schedule is Panama, followed by a match against South American giants Uruguay. It’ll be a huge priority for Gregg Berhalter and the USA to get all three points here because the Uruguay match will be quite a difficult one.
The USA’s form heading into Copa America wasn’t exactly great. They fell 5-1 to Colombia in a friendly a few weeks ago but did manage a 1-1 draw versus Brazil. Still, the USA did win the CONCACAF Nations League final in March. In USA’s opener, Berhalter started nine players who started the 2-0 Nations League final victory over Mexico.
Joe Scally stepped in for the injured Sergiño Dest, who is out for Copa America. Balogun also started in place of Haji Wright. Berhalter’s main conundrum is picking a striker. All of Balogun, Wright, Ricardo Pepi and Josh Sargent are viable options. Balogun did score on Sunday but it’s anyone’s guess who he starts for the USA soccer game today.
Panama vs USA Match Analysis & Odds
The USA managed to keep a clean sheet against Bolivia but not too many conclusions can be drawn from that match. After all, Bolivia are the lowest ranked side in the tournament. Now, the USA come in as 1.5-goal favorites for Thursday’s match versus Panama. USA -1.5 sits at +115 odds, while bettors can find Panama +1.5 at -135.
Only one of the last 17 games between the USA and Panama has finished in a victory for Panama, who are +700 underdogs. The USMNT are -250 favorites as they look to confirm their spot in the knockout rounds early. A draw, which would keep Panama alive, comes in at +380 odds.
The over/under for the match is set at 2.5 and the USA will look to keep another shutout. We’re not certain the USA will cover the goal line here but our Panama vs USA prediction is that the hosts will come away with a victory. The USA has called up their strongest roster to the Copa America and should be able to get the job done here.
| Team | Handicap |
|---|---|
| Panama | +1½ -135 |
| USA | -1½ +115 |
