USA – Panama

Viewers will see at least two goals in the first semi-final match

Of the remaining teams in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, there are 18 winners. However, Mexico (11) and the USA (7) have collected all the trophies mentioned. Panama and Jamaica have reached the finals twice each but have always lost. The first semi-final tie takes place in sunny San Diego, where the USA will take on Panama. According to transfermarkt, the American squad has a combined value of 96.38 million euros. The similar figure for the Panamanian squad is €15.28 million. Bookmakers have identified the home team as the favourites to advance to the final at odds of 1.25. As the reigning U.S. champions, the only other tournaments in which the U.S. national team had a solid showing were against lowly Trinidad & Tobago and St. Kitts & Nevis. Both teams were defeated by the same score of 6-0. At the same time the Americans could not beat Team Jamaica in the first round of the group stage and Canada in the 1/4 final, beating the latter in the penalty shoot-out. The Panama team started the CONCACAF Gold Cup with two victories. Costa Rica and Martinique were equally beaten 2-1. In the last round of the group stage, Panama suffered a 2-2 defeat to El Salvador due to a 90+1 minute goal. In the first round of the playoffs, Panama crushed Qatar 4-0, sending home the only non-CONCACAF team. The USA look less confident at home than expected after their convincing win in the local League of Nations. The first playoff game against Canada, also in poor form, was a showdown that could have been played 10 minutes before the final whistle. The Americans created few chances and advanced only after a penalty shootout. Panama have played poorly against the USA on their soil, but in the current CONCACAF Gold Cup, they have shown their best side. This is especially true of the Panamanians' attacking performance. The Panamanians have scored at least two goals in every game played in the tournament. Considering that Panama alone has an average of 2.5 goals per game in the Gold Cup, we'd wager that at least two goals will be scored in this match.