SNAPDRAGON STADIUM; SAN DIEGO, CALIF.; PRE-GAME COVERAGE: 7 P.M. ET ON FS1, UNIVISION, TUDN; KICKOFF: 7:30 P.M. ET ON FS1, UNIVISION, TUDN, FÚTBOL DE PRIMERA RADIO
“USMNT vs. Panama: Lineup Notes for 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup Semifinal at Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, Calif.” “Get Ready for the Exciting Match! Pre-Game Coverage at 7 p.m. ET on FS1, Univision, TUDN” “Kickoff Set for 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1, Univision, TUDN, Fútbol de Primera Radio” “Stay Connected: Follow @USMNT on Twitter and Instagram, U.S. Soccer on Facebook, The U.S. Soccer App for Live Updates”
“USMNT Starting XI Revealed for Clash against Panama: Matt Turner Leads as Captain” “Meet the Key Players: Aaron Long, Bryan Reynolds, Gianluca Busio, James Sands, Jesús Ferreira, Cade Cowell, Miles Robinson, Djordje Mihailovic, DeJuan Jones, and Brandon Vazquez” “Bench Strength: Sean Johnson, Gaga Slonina, DeAndre Yedlin, Matt Miazga, Cristian Roldan, Jordan Morris, Alex Zendejas, Jalen Neal, John Tolkin, Julian Gressel, and Jackson Yueill”
“Panama vs. USMNT: Key Game Notes and Five Things to Watch”
“USMNT Starting XI Cap Numbers: Aaron Long Leads with 35 Appearances, Matt Turner and Miles Robinson Follow” “Cap Numbers Revealed: USMNT Starting XI Features Key Players Aaron Long, Matt Turner, and Miles Robinson” “USMNT Starting XI Cap Numbers: Aaron Long (35), Matt Turner (32), Miles Robinson (25), and More”
“USMNT Starting XI Concacaf Gold Cup Cap Numbers: James Sands, Gianluca Busio, and Matt Turner Lead the Way” “Key Cap Numbers: USMNT Starting XI in Concacaf Gold Cup Features James Sands, Gianluca Busio, and More” “USMNT Starting XI Cap Numbers in Concacaf Gold Cup: James Sands (11), Gianluca Busio (10), Matt Turner (10), and More”
“USMNT Starting XI Cap Numbers in Official Competition: Matt Turner, Miles Robinson, and Aaron Long Lead the Way” “Official Competition Cap Numbers: USMNT Starting XI Features Matt Turner, Miles Robinson, and More” “USMNT Starting XI Cap Numbers in Official Competition: Matt Turner (27), Miles Robinson (22), Aaron Long (15), and More”
“Youthful USMNT Lineup: Seventh Youngest in a Knockout Round Match” “Young Guns on Display: USMNT Fields Seventh Youngest Lineup in Knockout Round” “USMNT’s Youthful Lineup: Seventh Youngest in Knockout Round History” “Youth Dominance: USMNT’s 10 Youngest Knockout Round Lineups All Deployed Since 2021”
The USMNT starting lineup showcases an impressive youthful core, with seven starters aged 24 or younger. Among them are Djordje Mihailovic and Brandon Vazquez at 24 years old, James Sands at 23, Jesús Ferreira and Bryan Reynolds at 22, Gianluca Busio at 21, and the youngest of the group, Cade Cowell, at just 19 years old.
Not only does this lineup boast young talent, but it also demonstrates experience. On average, the starters have accumulated 16 caps and made 11 appearances in official competitions. Their combination of youth and experience presents a promising outlook for the USMNT’s performance.
USMNT head coach B.J. Callaghan has made strategic changes to the starting XI for this match, building on the lineup that faced Canada on Wednesday. The alterations include the introduction of defender Aaron Long, as well as forwards Cade Cowell and Brandon Vazquez. These changes reflect Callaghan’s tactical considerations to maximize the team’s chances of success.
Brandon Vazquez, who recently made history as the first USMNT player to score three goals as a substitute in the Gold Cup, is rewarded with his first start of the tournament. It is an exciting opportunity for Vazquez, particularly as the match takes place in his hometown of San Diego. The local support and familiarity with the surroundings could serve as additional motivation for a standout performance.
Cade Cowell, who made his first start in the competition against St. Kitts and Nevis on June 28, earns his second start in this crucial match. Alongside Aaron Long, who also started against Trinidad and Tobago on June 24, Cowell becomes the fourth youngest player to start a Gold Cup Knockout Round match for the USMNT. This achievement highlights Cowell’s talent and potential, as well as the team’s willingness to rely on young players in high-stakes matches.
“Jesús Ferreira and James Sands: Consistent Starters in All Five Matches of the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup” “Gold Cup Standouts: Ferreira and Sands Complete Full Starting XI in Every Match” “James Sands Joins Elite Group: Sixth Player to Make 11 Consecutive Gold Cup Appearances for USMNT” “Remarkable Journey: From Substitute to 10 Consecutive Gold Cup Starts for James Sands”
“Matt Turner’s Milestones: Captaining USMNT and Tying Tony Meola’s Record in Gold Cup” “Goalkeeper Matt Turner’s Impressive Gold Cup Journey: 10 Appearances and Tying Third Place” “Turner Shines in Knockout Rounds: Surpassing Meola for Third Place Among USMNT Goalkeepers” “USMNT’s Trust in Turner: Eighth Knockout Round Appearance and Outstanding Record” “Clean Sheet Master: Matt Turner’s Dominance in Knockout Round Contests”
Aaron Long and Miles Robinson reunite as the central defensive pair for the second time in tonight’s match. They previously showcased their partnership in the remarkable 7-0 victory against Trinidad and Tobago on January 31, 2021, in Orlando. Their prior collaboration adds to the anticipation of their performance tonight.
Six players on the USMNT roster have previously faced Panama in past encounters. Aaron Long and Djordje Mihailovic lead the way with two games played against Panama, while Gianluca Busio, Jesús Ferreira, Miles Robinson, and Matt Turner have each featured in one match against them. Their familiarity with Panama’s playing style could provide an advantage in tonight’s contest.
Djordje Mihailovic made a memorable debut for the USMNT by scoring his first international goal in a convincing 3-0 victory over Panama on January 27, 2019, in Glendale, Arizona. Jesús Ferreira also found the back of the net against Los Canaleros, netting his first goal in official competition during a commanding 5-1 World Cup Qualifying win on March 27, 2022, in Orlando.
Five starters in tonight’s match possess previous experience in semifinal matches. Miles Robinson and Matt Turner were part of the USMNT’s campaigns in the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup Semifinal against Qatar and the 2023 Concacaf Nations League Semifinal against Canada. Gianluca Busio and James Sands also featured in the 2021 semifinal against Qatar, while Aaron Long showcased his skills in the 2019 Gold Cup Semifinal against Jamaica.
If called upon from the bench tonight, 19-year-old Jalen Neal, who has accumulated six caps, has the opportunity to equal Mike Windischmann’s record as the teenage center back with the most appearances for the USMNT at seven.
During regulation time, teams are allowed to make five substitutions at three different moments, excluding halftime. In case the match remains tied after 90 minutes, two additional 15-minute periods of extra time will be played, and both teams will be granted another substitution opportunity. If the teams are still level after extra time, the match will be determined through a penalty shootout.
The USMNT has encountered shootouts on seven occasions in official competition, progressing on five of those occasions. Their experience and success in shootouts add an extra layer of excitement and anticipation if the match reaches that stage.
The 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup will feature the utilization of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system for all matches. This implementation ensures enhanced officiating and fair decision-making throughout the tournament.
The USA and Panama will meet for the 26th time in history in tonight’s match. The USMNT holds a dominant 17-2-6 overall advantage in their head-to-head encounters. In official competition, the team has a commanding 13-2-6 edge over Panama, with a particularly strong record of 6-1-4 in Gold Cup play.
The USMNT boasts an impressive all-time record in the Gold Cup knockout round, standing at 29 wins, 8 draws, and 6 losses. Moreover, the team has excelled in Gold Cup semifinal matches, with a remarkable record of 11 wins, 3 draws, and 1 loss.
The match will be officiated by Walter López from Guatemala, who has been assigned as the referee for tonight’s encounter. The USMNT has experienced positive outcomes in matches officiated by Mr. López, maintaining a flawless record of 3 wins and no losses:
- March 24, 2017: 6-0 victory against Honduras in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying
- July 26, 2017: 2-1 triumph over Jamaica in the 2017 Concacaf Gold Cup Final
- Nov. 12, 2021: 2-0 win against Mexico in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifying