Panama shattered the US soccer team’s dream of an eighth Gold Cup triumph and advanced to the final of the prestigious continental tournament.
The outsider defeated co-hosts USA in the semifinals 5:4 on penalties and can now hope for the really big hit. In the final, Panama meets record winners Mexico, who gave Jamaica no chance at 3-0 (2-0).
While the US in the ten gold cupeditions missed the final for only the second time since 2003, Panama is playing for the title for only the third time since 2005 and 2013. The small Central American country has never won the cup. “Reaching this final is every Panamanian’s dream. We suffered to get this win, but that’s the best way to enjoy it”said Panama’s Danish coach Thomas Christiansen, who had played for VfL Bochum and Hannover 96 in the Bundesliga.
Mosquera becomes the match winner
In the stage in San Diego it was 0-0 after regulation time. Ivan Andersson put Panama ahead in extra time (99′), but Jesus Ferreira (105′) saved the US team on penalties. There, Panama’s goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera advanced with two saved penalties (Jesus Ferreira and Cristian Roldan). match winner.
“Will hurt in the short term”
The USA were at the Gold Cup without their stars active in Europe, such as Giovanni Reyna (Borussia Dortmund), Christian Pulisic (FC Chelsea) and Weston McKennie (Juventus Turin). “It will hurt in the short term but I really believe that in the long run we have given a lot of players a lot of experience and that will pay off for us in the future.”said interim US coach BJ Callaghan, who is now being replaced by the returning Gregg Berhalter.
For Mexico, now seeking their ninth Gold Cup title, scored at the stadium in paradise Henry Martin (2nd), Luis Chavez (30th) and Roberto Alvarado (90th + 3rd). The final will be held on Sunday evening (local time). The Gold Cup is the continental tournament of the governing body CONCACAF for teams from North and Central America and the Caribbean. The hosts this year are the USA and Canada.