The United States are once again hosting the competition this year and, just like in every other edition, are one of the two favourites to get their hands on the trophy later this month. Playing in front of partisan crowds is always an advantage when it comes to international tournaments, while the Stars and Stripes also possess more resources than almost all of their continental competitors. However, the decision of manager Bruce Arena to use the Gold Cup as a way of helping to build the team ahead of next summer’s World Cup in Russia could harm their chances of success, namely because high-profile stars such as Christian Pulisic, Michael Bradley, Darlington Nagbe, Tim Howard, Bobby Wood, Geoff Cameron and Jozy Altidore have all been left out of the squad.
Panama have made great progress in the last few years and are one of the dark horses heading into this competition. Runners-up four years ago, Los Canaleros made it through to the semi-finals in both 2011 and 2015, with the latter and most recent edition bringing a third-place finish. The Central American nation are therefore quietly confident of once again going deep in the tournament, although they probably would have hoped for an easier opening game than a meeting with the hosts.
Arena may be without many of the United States’ big names, but he still has plenty of quality to call upon. The experience provided by the likes of Graham Zusi, Brad Guzan, Alejandro Bodoya and Matt Besler will be important, while younger players such as Kenny Saief, Jordan Morris, Matt Miazga, Dom Dwyer, Cristian Roldan and Kellyn Acosta will all be looking to make an impression around 11 months before the World Cup gets under way. The United States will probably line up in a 4-4-1-1 formation, with an emphasis on dominating both possession and territory against the Panamanians.
Hernan Dario Gomez has also named a squad with a mix of youth and experience: 33-year-old midfielder Gabriel Gomez has 133 caps to his name, while forward Ricardo Clarke has made just two appearances for the senior side. Panama will set up in a 4-4-2 configuration, with their speed on the counter-attack likely to be their most dangerous weapon at the Nissan Stadium on Saturday.
Arena's men will not have everything their own way this weekend, with Panama certainly capable of causing an upset. On balance, though, it is probably worth backing the United States to come out on top, albeit by a narrow margin. A 2-1 victory in the correct scoreline market is an option for this one, but the safer money is on a triumph for the hosts in a match in which both teams find the back of the net. As far as an anytime goalscorer is concerned, Dwyer looks like as good a bet as any.
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