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Gold Cup 2017: Panama gear up for another Cinderella run

By Clemente Lisi

Goalkeeper Diedrich Tellez of Nicaragua (R) blocks a shot by Panama during the second half of their Group B Gold Cup soccer game on July 12, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Panama won the game 2-1. / AFP PHOTO / Gregg Newton / Gregg Newton (Photo credit should read GREGG NEWTON/AFP/Getty Images)
Goalkeeper Diedrich Tellez of Nicaragua (R) blocks a shot by Panama during the second half of their Group B Gold Cup soccer game on July 12, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Panama won the game 2-1. / AFP PHOTO / Gregg Newton / Gregg Newton (Photo credit should read GREGG NEWTON/AFP/Getty Images) /
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With Costa Rica underachieving at the Gold Cup, could Panama be the Central American nation that wins it all? 

Panama isn’t a “soccer country” compared to Central American neighbors Costa Rica, Honduras and El Salvador. While futbol is on the rise in Panama, baseball remains the national sport. It’s given the major leagues such notable pitchers as former New York Yankees great Mariano Rivera and Ruben Tejada, currently of the Baltimore Orioles. But Panama are hoping to become a soccer country by winning the Gold Cup this month.

It’s not so far fetched. Panama have truly evolved into a CONCACAF success story. Los Canaleros have experienced something of a meteoric rise over the past 12 years. Panama first made a splash at the 2005 Gold Cup, going on a Cinderella run and reaching the final only to lose to the United States 3-1 in a penalty shootout. Panama, who have never qualified for a World Cup finals, also took part in CONCACAF’s Final Round World Cup Qualifying that year. The team have advanced to the Hex three of the last four qualifying campaigns and came close to finishing fourth in 2013. Panama also reached the Gold Cup final four years ago, again losing to the United States in the final, 1-0.

At this Gold Cup, Panama are currently in second place in their group (the U.S. are first on goals scored) as they prepare for the final group stage match Saturday versus Martinique in Cleveland. The top spot in the group will be decided on the final matchday. Panama will be looking to run up the score in an attempt to win Group B given that the U.S. are likely to defeat Nicaragua later that night.

Panama finished off Nicaragua 2-1 Wednesday night after going down a goal. Panama coach Hernan Dario Gomez was pleased with the rally, but said his team “needs to do more” if they want to win games.

“This is a side that can be brilliant. They attack on the right side and use the left side and move the ball forward. They can score goals,” he told reporters after the game.

Gomez has coached Panama since 2014, bringing a higher level of professionalism to the lineup through his methods and tactics. If not for some questionable calls against Mexico in the semifinal of the 2015 Gold Cup, Panama would have reached their second consecutive championship match. Instead, they finished third after defeating the U.S. on penalties. Panama are also currently in the Hex, just a point behind the Americans for the final automatic qualifying spot.

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The Colombian-born Gomez learned his soccer under famed manager Francisco Maturana. A former defensive midfielder, Gomez coached Colombia to the 1998 World Cup. He coached Ecuador at the World Cup four years later, but resigned following a poor showing at the 2004 Copa America. He coached Colombia for a second time in 2010, but the appointment only lasted a year.

While many have tipped Costa Rica as the team that could break the United States-Mexico stronghold on the Gold Cup, the reality is that Panama are in better shape to do so. They played the United States to a 1-1 draw in their first game and remain in position to win the group. They’ve also gotten to the championship game on three other occasions and feature the personnel (a combination of domestic and foreign-based players) that could yield more surprises in the knockout stage.

Panama’s 23-man roster at this Gold Cup features four MLS-based players in defender Michael Murillo (New York Red Bulls) and midfielders Miquel Camargo (New York City FC), Armando Cooper (Toronto FC) and Anibal Godoy (San Jose Earthquakes).

Panama’s improved fortunes coincided with the growth of their domestic league. Pro soccer in Panama wasn’t formalized until 1988 and switched to become the Liga Panamena de Futbol in 2009. Despite that, only players currently on the roster hail from that country’s domestic league. The league has done well in developing talent and is often the place where scouts from across Latin America purchase players.

The team’s standout forwards all play outside Panama with Gabriel Torres, who scored the winner versus Nicaragua, playing for FC Lausanne in Switzerland. Ismael Diaz is a member of FC Porto of Portugal, while Abdiel Arroyo plays for Danubio FC in Uruguay.

Can Panama win the Gold Cup? They’ve already gotten to the final twice and are looking to gear up for another Cinderella run this month. This could very well be the year Panama finally lift the trophy and become a “soccer country.”

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