World Cup 2022: Can USA Push Their Neighbours Around?

Panama vs USA

The October international break is in full flow and there’s a tasty affair in the North American World Cup 2022 qualifiers on Sunday, when Panama vs USA is the match of the weekend.

With three teams qualifying for the finals and the fourth-placed finisher in an intercontinental play-off, both the USA and Panama have put themselves in the right half of the CONCACAF table after four rounds.

But the Stars and Stripes come into the game on the back of a 2-0 win over Jamaica while Panama slumped to a disappointing 1-0 defeat away to El Salvador.

The early leaders Mexico had a face off with Canada on Friday and played out a 1-1 draw which opened the door for the USA to take top spot, alongside El Tri on eight points but with a superior goal difference.

Panama’s defeat leaves them in fourth place alongside El Salvador and they need a result on Sunday to keep their campaign on the right track.

There will be no love lost between the two nations who have not always been on the best terms. In 1989, the US government ordered its army to invade Panama to ‘safeguard the lives of US citizens in the country’, sparking a violent period of urban warfare.

The referee will have to be on his toes while the Panamanians try to give their hyper- confident visitors a rough ride!

Talking Points

Panama’s Spanish connection

Following the European Voyages of Discovery, Panama was under Spanish rule for almost three centuries before gaining independence in 1821. And there remain strong links between the Central American country and Southern Europe.

The midfield trio of Yoel Barcenas, Jose Rodriguez, and Cesar Yanis all play in the Spanish league for Leganes, Sporting Gijon, and Real Zaragoza. None are with the big European sides but they will stand toe-to-toe with the US midfield and let them know they are in a game.

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Serie A

And head coach Thomas Christiansen will look to his most experienced front man Gabriel Torres to add to his 22 international goals.

Panama’s early World Cup 2022 results have given them a fighting chance of qualification. They’ve put in three strong performances in September with draws against Costa Rica and Mexico, who are ranked ninth in the world, and a 3-0 victory over Jamaica.

At 68th in the FIFA World Rankings, Panama are a full 55 places behind the Stars and Stripes who have risen to 13th in the table.

And the pre-match World Cup 2022 betting odds say it will be an uphill struggle, but Christiansen’s players will be up for the fight.

Pepi is USA’s newest sharpshooter

The USA will be without Borussia Dortmund’s Gio Reyna and Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic, who are the two most exciting players to emerge for the Stars and Stripes in recent years, but the production line keeps on rolling and a new star has already started to shine.

Head coach Gregg Berhalter has put his faith in FC Dallas’ 18-year-old striker Ricardo Pepi. He scored his first international goal on his debut against Honduras and then bagged another two as the USA swept Jamaica aside on Friday.

Having chosen to represent the Stars and Stripes over Mexico, Pepi is now the youngest American to score in consecutive World Cup qualifiers – which is some achievement as he follows Pulisic and Reyna into the limelight.

World Cup 2022: Will Zack Steffen be part of the first-team line up in their upcoming clash against Panama? — USA goalkeeper Zack Steffen on the pitch during a CONCACAF Nations League semi-final clash against Honduras

The latest victory means the US have a record of 14 wins, two draws, and a single defeat over the past 17 games and, after a small stutter, they look to be gathering momentum again.

Berhalter’s men celebrated in style this summer as CONCACAF Gold Cup winners, beating Mexico 1-0 in the final. But they started the qualifiers with draws against Canada and El Salvador before thumping Honduras 4-1 and now beating the Reggae Boyz.

In the absence of Pulisic, Manchester City reserve keeper Zack Steffen is probably the biggest name in the team, while SBOTOP fans will be well-aware of the star quality in Barcelona wing-back Sergino Dest.

And there could be game time for Juventus’ midfield man Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams of RB Leipzig.

History

World Cup semi-finalists n 1930, the Stars and Stripes haven’t reached those heady heights since but they are steadily becoming a force to be reckoned with in world football.

Panama made their first ever appearance at the World Cup finals in 2018 and they will be determined to stay in the company of the elite by qualifying for Qatar 2022.

The USA have dominated the head-to-head meetings with Panama – winning 16 of the past 22 encounters while drawing four and losing just twice.

Panama lost the last four meetings but drew the two prior to that, both with a 1-1 score line back in 2017, one in the Gold Cup and one in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

The USA are unbeaten in 13 games while Panama haven’t lost at home in six outings.

Betting Tip

	Panama vs USA	1X2 Draw @ 3.15
	October 11, 6:00 (GMT+8)

Panama are 4.26 to win and the double chance win or draw is at 1.86, while the visitors are at 1.77 to take all three points.

Panama’s last two home games have resulted in draws with Costa Rica and Mexico and, with a strong home record and the desire to make amends for a defeat to El Salvador, I’m looking for the value in a draw.

That would be a fine result for the hosts and no disaster for the USA.