The US have not lost a single game in the ongoing CONCACAF Gold Cup 2015 group matches. After defeating Honduras and Haiti, they will have their eyes set on their next fixture against Panama at Sporting Park, Kansas City on Monday.
The US have already progressed to the next round of the competition as table toppers, but the team will be eager to retain its winning momentum and go into the quarter-final of the competition full of confidence.
Despite two back-to-back victories, the US have not been very commanding in their performance as they defeated Honduras and Haiti by a solitary goal margin. The US could have easily finished with a single point each from both the games, but they were lucky to win both the matches.
Hence, the match against Panama might give an opportunity to the US players to improve upon their performance with the business end of the competition looming large.
Had the US come up with great performances in their previous matches, they could have thought of providing rest to some senior players and bring them afresh for the competition. Hence, US manager Jurgen Klinsmann might have to think before taking any such decision.
Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey might be given rest but it depends on Klinsmann. One will not be surprised to see the US coming up with their best team against Panama, where the home team might adopt and experiement a new set of strategies.
Bradley has made it clear he wants to play, though he cannot take the call.
"I always want to play," Sports Illustrated quoted Bradley as saying.
"Obviously, I'm not the one choosing the team. But certainly if I get asked then as long as I feel good, which typically I will, then I'll want to play."
Dempsey, who is one of the key players for Kilnsmann, feels that the team should build on the performances.
"It's a tough one. You don't want to take your foot off the gas and then you get knocked out in the quarterfinals thinking that you [already] kind of got the job done. I think you've got to stay hungry and you've got to stay looking to build on performances ... Obviously, I'm a competitor. I always want to go. But at the same time, you've got to be smart how you manage things," said Dempsey.
Coming to Panama, they have been decent in the tournament as they have not lost a single game in the tournament with two draws in the group stages. A victory against the US will help them claim the second spot in the group.
Panama have themselves to blame for their current situation as they could have grabbed the second spot by now had they defeated Haiti, where they dominated the game but conceded a goal in the 85th minute leading to a draw.
Ranked 54th in the world, Panama have to come up with a better performance if they are to hand the US their first defeat.
Where to Watch Live (Live streaming Information for the USA vs Panama clash)
The Gold Cup match between the US and Panama is scheduled for 9:30pm local time (7am IST, 2:30am BST) start .
Viewers in the US can watch the game live on Fox Network with live streaming optionon Fox Soccer2 Go. Panama viewers can watch the game live on Sky Mexico.
BT Sport 1 will air the game live in the UK.
