MIAMI, Florida – The United States and Panama each emerged victorious from the first legs of their respective League A 2023-24 Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals on Thursday night to take a step closer to the 2023-24 CNL Finals and the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024.
United States vs. Trinidad and Tobago
A late surge earned the United States a 3-0 victory versus Trinidad and Tobago in their quarterfinal first leg at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas.
Antonee Robinson had a goal and an assist, as the U.S. scored three goals in the final 10 minutes of regular time to secure a three-goal cushion going into Monday’s return leg.
The U.S. controlled the opening half hour of play, but they posed little threat in front of goal against a Trinidad and Tobago defense that was well-organized.
A second yellow card to Noah Powder in the 37’ caused the Caribbean visitors to go down to 10 men with more than a half to play, prompting the U.S. to commit numbers forward even more in search of the opening goal.
The Trinidad and Tobago defense were holding firm, led by GK Denzil Smith, whose confidence grew by saving a Yunus Musah attempt from distance and then a Sergino Dest shot.
Finally, the breakthrough came for the U.S. in the 81’ when Robinson’s cross from the left wing was flicked in by Ricardo Pepi to make it 1-0 to the home side.
The goal inspired the U.S. to push for more and minutes after supplying the assist on the opening score, Antonee Robinson added a goal himself with a powerful left-footed finish for a 2-0 U.S. lead in the 86’.
The U.S. were keen to tack on one more before the final whistle and they did it in the 89’ when Gio Reyna gathered a pass Folarin Balogun and fired into net to complete the 3-0 scoreline.
Costa Rica vs. Panama
Panama won a CNL match for the second straight time in Costa Rica with a 3-0 victory in their quarterfinal first leg at the Estadio Saprissa in San Jose, Costa Rica.
After defeating the Ticos 1-0 in Costa Rica in the 2022-23 CNL group stage, the Canaleros achieved the same feat, this time by a wider scoreline.
It was a dream start for Panama, as a picture-perfect free kick Michael Murillo went blazing into the top right corner to hand the visiting Canaleros a 1-0 lead in the 4’.
Panama remained on the front foot and they doubled their advantage in the 29’ when a miscue from the Costa Rican defense allowed Jose Fajardo to swoop in and fire a right-footed rocket into goal for a 2-0 Panama lead.
Costa Rica sought a response and Jimmy Marin came within inches of pulling a goal back with a shot that grazed the post in the 33’.
Costa Rica mounted the pressure to start the second half, but it allowed Panama to counterattack with space and the visitors made the most of a break in the 60’ that ended with Adalberto Carrasquilla sliding a pass into Cecilio Waterman, whose finish made it 3-0.
With the three-goal cushion, Panama could play to their liking, while keeping the Costa Rican attack at bay, and calmly saw out the final half-hour to secure the crucial away win.
