Team USA cruised to a 2-0 win over Bolivia to open the Copa America 2024 tournament thanks to two first-half goals.
Now, the Yanks will play CONCACAF rival Panama on matchday No. 2. Will our score predictor forecast another win for the Americans?
Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be the site of Thursday’s match between the USA and Panama. It is a venue that has already received plenty of criticism due to its poor-quality turf.
Copa 🤝 Concacaf... Tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/HIz1DYNmbJ— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) June 26, 2024
Copa 🤝 Concacaf... Tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/HIz1DYNmbJ
Panama will hope the turf makes for a more equal game against the Americans. Panama have struggled in head-to-head matches with the USA dating back to 2004. They have a record of 4W-4D-17L versus Team USA across 25 games.
However, Panama did pick up a win thanks to a penalty shootout against the Yanks in their last meeting. That game was played in 2023 in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup. The USA will hope another shock upset does not occur.
Panama were outplayed on matchday No. 1 by Uruguay 3-1. The Panamanians consolation goal came in the fifth minute of stoppage-time. Michael Amir Murillo scored the team’s lone goal.
The Panamanian defence allowed 20 shots to Uruguay, with seven hitting the target. They conceded 55% possession, too. Panama should once again concede possession to the far stronger USA.
The USA’s win over Bolivia came thanks to goals from AC Milan’s Christian Pulisic and Monaco’s Florian Balogun.
American racked up 20 shots in the fixture, with eigh hitting the target. Meanwhile, the team kept 61% of the game’s possession. Defensively, the USA only allowed six shots.
USA manager Gregg Berhalter has no reason to make changes to the team after the win over Bolivia. He may want to make a tactical change or two due to playing Uruguay next and needing to rest players.
Berhalter played a 4-3-3 formation against Bolivia with Balogun at the centre of the attack.
Timothy Weah and Pulisic played on the wings. Gio Reyna, Wesley McKennie, Tyler Adams locked down the midfield. Of the three, Reyna could make way for Yunus Musah.
Panama will likely play a defensive 5-4-1. There won’t be much attacking intent from the team. Expect them to try to hit the Yanks on the counter.
Due to Panama’s formation, expect this to be a low-scoring game. They should hold strong defensively but ultimately concede to the Yanks. Our score prediction is for a 1-0 USA win.