Preview: USMNT enters Sunday's match as favorites for the title
"We want to win this thing badly," were the words of USMNT coach Jurgen Klinsmann. After finding out on Friday that he would not be able to manage the team due to his sending off in the semi-final match, Klinsmann still believes his players are up for the challenge.
Having to watch from the crowd, Klinsmann will put his belief in assistant coach Martin Vasquez.
Apart from Vasquez, Klinsmann will need another solid performance from his players, just as they have done throughout the tournament. Having outscored opponents in the Gold Cup 19-4, the USMNT seems destined to claim the title at Soldier Field in Chicago.
Despite their rotated squad for this tournament, the American players will be well aware that a place in the World Cup squad is at stake.
Landon Donovan, Eddie Johnson and Chris Wondolowski have done their part up until now, but all of that will mean nothing if they are not able to claim the title on Sunday against Panama.
The Panamanians are coming off a second victory over Mexico, after having defeated them in their opening match of the tournament. Blas Perez and Gabriel Torres have been enjoying success throughout the tournament, forcing the American backline to really pay close attention to them.
Torres shares the top scorer award at the moment with Donovan and Wondolowski, but as long as their side comes out on top, neither player will be concerned with coming out as leading scorer.
For some, this match may have lost some of its interest due to Mexico crashing out in the semi-finals, but make no mistake about it, Panama will not be a push over. And unlike most of the teams in the tournament, Panama brought a nearly full squad.
Where to watch the match: live stream, start time, TV channels
Watch USA vs. Panama live on Sunday, July 28th 2013 here:
In Canada at 16:00 ET on: Sportsnet World
In the UK at 21:00 BST on: ESPN UK / HD
In the USA at 16:00 ET on: Univision Deportes, Univision, Fox Soccer 2Go, Fox Network
For viewers outside of the above mentioned countries, be sure to check our match page for access to worldwide listings. You can also get live scores of this Gold Cup match from the main page.
