SEATTLE - Despite the recent injury concerns suffered by Panama ahead of Copa América 2024, the Central American team wants to use this summer as a measuring stick with World Cup Qualifiers just around the corner.
The 2024 edition will be Panama's second appearance at Copa América, having participated at Copa América Centenario where they crashed out of the group stages. 'Los Canaleros' debuted with a win against Bolivia in their first-ever game in the competition, but followed it with losses against Chile and Argentina.
This time around, Thomas Christiansen's team will try to use Copa América as a learning experience ahead of an important World Cup Qualifying cycle that will not have any of CONCACAF's big three teams (Mexico, United States, Canada).
Panama's Copa América quick facts
Group: C
Best result: group stage; Copa América Centenario in 2016 was the only previous appearance for 'Los Canaleros' at the continental competition.
Coach: Thomas Christiansen (appointed July 2020); 30-15-15 W-L-D record.
All-time Panamanian top scorer in Copa América: Blas Pérez (2 goals)
Where is Panama playing?
The Panamanians will debut in Group C of this edition against Uruguay at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami (FL), before facing the United States in Atlanta. Panama will close out the group stages with a game against Bolivia. Panama's only win in the competition came against Bolivia almost eight years ago.
June 23: Uruguay vs Panama - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
June 27: Panama vs United States - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
July 1: Bolivia vs Panama - Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando
Panama's 26-man list for Copa América
Goalkeepers: Orlando Mosquera (Maccabi Tel-Aviv), Luis Mejía (Club Nacional), César Samudio (CD Marathón)
Defenders: Eduardo Anderson (Deportivo Saprissa), José Córdoba (Levski Sofía), Éric Davis (FC Kosice), Iván Anderson (Fortaleza CEIF), Michael Murillo (Marseille), Cesar Blackman (Slovan Bratislava), Edgardo Fariña (Municipal), Roderick Miller (Turan Tovuz IK), Omar Valencia (New York Red Bulls), Carlos Harvey (Minnesota United), Harold Cummings (Xelajú)
Midfielders: Adalberto Carrasquilla (Houston Dynamo), Cristian Martínez (Al-Jandal SC), José Luis Rodríguez (Famalicão), Édgar Bárcenas (Mazatlán), Jovani Welch (Académico Viseu FC), Freddy Góndola (Maccabi Bnei Reineh), Abdiel Ayarza (Cienciano), César Yanis (AD San Carlos), Kahiser Lenis (Jaguares de Córdoba)
Forwards: Ismael Díaz (CD Universidad Católica), José Fajardo (CD Universidad Católica), Eduardo Guerrero (Zorya Lugansk)
Notable absence
Aníbal Godoy
The Panamanian captain will miss out on Copa América 2024 after picking up a thigh injury just days ago.
The Nashville SC midfielder was substituted off in the 73rd minute in a friendly game against Paraguay before the start of Copa América 2024. Godoy has been the captain of the national team full-time since 2021 and has capped Panama 140 times, the most by any active player and the second-highest all-time, only behind Gabriel Gómez.
Player to watch
Adalberto Carrasquilla
Most of Panama's attacking opportunities will originate from Adalberto Carrasquilla's boots. The Houston Dynamo midfielder has been on great form lately and Copa América 2024 will be a perfect scenario for him to show what he is capable of.
At the age of 25 he has already represented Panama in more than 50 games and has been a regular of the team since 2021.
In 2023, he had his best year as a professional at both the club and national team level. With Houston, he won the 2023 U.S. Open Cup, scoring one goal in the semifinals. With Panama, he had a fantastic 2023 Gold Cup leading 'Los Canaleros' to the final. He was awarded the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament and was also included into the best XI.
© 2024 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
