Copa America 2024 Team Previews: Panama

Copa America 2024 Team Previews: Panama

The 2024 Copa America begins on June 20th in the U.S., with 10 CONMEBOL and six CONCACAF teams set to compete in the tournament. Over the next couple of weeks, we will preview every team playing in the competition. Last but not least: Panama.

Panama has had an impressive 2024 so far, reaching the 2023-24 CONCACAF Nations League Finals after thrashing Costa Rica in the quarterfinals 6-1 on aggregate. While definitely an underdog at this summer’s Copa, Panama has shown that they can compete with CONCACAF’s best. Now, they will look to prove that they can also compete with CONMEBOL’s best.

Copa America Appearances

This will be Panama’s second Copa America appearance. The first came in 2016 when the U.S. also served as host.

Best Finish in Copa America

Panama did not advance out of the group stage in 2016, finishing third in a group that also consisted of Argentina, Bolivia and Chile.

Key Players

Two of Panama’s key players can be found in the MLS. Aníbal Godoy, the Panamanian captain, plays for Nashville SC and will provide Los Calaneros with experience and ball-winning ability in the midfield. Houston Dynamo’s Adalberto Carrasquilla is a more exciting midfielder on the ball. He is good at carrying the ball forward, and together with Godoy, Carrasquilla will look to create a solid Panamanian midfield.

José Fajardo (CAI) is the highest goalscorer on this Panama roster so look for him to try and get on the scoresheet. In goal, Luis Mejía (Nacional) will likely be called upon quite often and will need to be up to the task of making multiple saves a game if Panama is to have a successful tournament.

Manager

Danish-born Thomas Christiansen was capped twice by Spain when he was a player. Now, he serves as Panama’s head coach, a position he has had since 2020. Prior to that, he managed APOEL in Cyprus, Union SG in Belgium and Leeds United.

Biggest Game — vs the U.S. on June 27th

Suppose Panama wants to get out of Group C. In that case, they are going to have to get points against either Uruguay or the U.S. While the Bolivia game is very winnable, they will need more than three points if they want to reach the quarterfinals, and the game against the U.S. gives them the best chance. They know their fellow CONCACAF team better than they know Uruguay. In fact, they beat the U.S. in penalties in the semifinals of the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup, and while this was against a weaker U.S. team, they have shown that they have it in them to pull a shocking upset against the USMNT. This is the game where they need to get points if they are to have any chance of getting out of the group.

Copa America 2024 Team Previews: Costa Rica

Prediction

Los Calaneros have it in them to possibly trouble the U.S. and Uruguay, but they are unlikely to get out of the group. Realistically, Panama will finish third in the group and fail to advance out of Group C.

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