MIAMI, Florida – The United States and Panama are each 90 minutes away from advancing to the 2023-24 Concacaf Nations League Finals and qualifying for the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024, as their respective League A quarterfinals with Trinidad and Tobago and Costa Rica conclude on Monday.
Trinidad and Tobago vs. United States
The United States and Trinidad and Tobago resume their quarterfinal series with the second leg on Monday night at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
The U.S. hold a 3-0 advantage on aggregate, but for 80 minutes in the first leg the Soca Warriors kept the U.S. in check, even though they were playing a man down for the majority of the match due to Noah Powder’s sending off in the first half.
The U.S. finally broke through with three goals in the final 10 minutes via Ricardo Pepi, Antonee Robinson and Gio Reyna to earn the three-goal advantage.
Robinson also had the assist on the Pepi goal, while Folarin Balogun set up the Reyna strike.
In the all-time series between the two nations, the U.S. lead with 22 wins, four draws and just four defeats, but one of those four losses came in their last visit to Trinidad and Tobago in a 2-1 win for the Soca Warriors on the final day of Concacaf World Cup qualifying for Russia 2018.
Trinidad and Tobago will need to get their attack firing after not registering a shot in the first leg. It could present a chance for the likes of Levi Garcia and Reon Moore to make a difference going forward, while GK Denzil Smith, who made six saves on Thursday night, will need to keep his goal as clean as possible.
Panama vs. Costa Rica
Panama and Costa Rica renew acquaintances in the second leg of their quarterfinal at the Estadio Rommel Fernandez in Panama City, Panama.
It was a dream first leg for Panama, who emerged from the Costa Rican capital of San Jose with a 3-0 victory.
Panama were in control from start to finish, beginning with Michael Murillo’s early free kick strike, followed by a stunning finish from Jose Fajardo off a counterattack and then concluding with Adalberto Carrasquilla’s surgical pass for Cecilio Waterman’s clinical finish.
Those four players and more will now look to make sure there is no drama in the return leg on home soil against the Ticos.
The last CNL meeting between these two teams in Panama saw the Canaleros earn a 2-0 victory in the 2022-23 group stage, with Ismael Diaz and Waterman getting the goals.
Costa Rica have the firepower to get back on level terms, though, beginning with veteran attacker and playmaker Joel Campbell and Jimmy Marin, who led the team in shots in the first leg with three.
