Trinidad and Tobago vs. Panama
July 19 | 4:30 pm ET | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
FOX Sports 1, Univision, UDN, Sportsnet One
Trinidad and Tobago look to continue their magical CONCACAF Gold Cup run on Sunday, when the Group C winners take on Panama in the Gold Cup quarterfinals.
The Soca Warriors will have their work cut out for them, however, as Panama are no joke. The runners-up at the 2013 tournament, Los Canaleros didn’t quite put it all together in the group stage, but have more than enough talent to make it through to next week’s semifinals.
KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES: A pair of Joneses – Chicago Fire defender Joevin and rumored MLS target Kenwyne – have been key for Stephen Hart’s side this tournament, each playing a huge role in the Soca Warriors’ surprising run to the Group C title.
Joevin has been steady throughout, with the 23-year-old scoring and earning Man of the Match honors in T&T’s opening game win against Guatemala, going the full 90 in the 2-0 victory against Cuba and – after making a spectacular run to earn a corner – delivering the group-clinching assist at the death of their 4-4 draw with Mexico.
A longtime veteran of English soccer, 30-year-old Kenywne has played every minute of Trinidad and Tobago’s Gold Cup run thus far. The Soca Warriors’ captain was instrumental in the draw against Mexico, scoring one goal, notching two assists and hitting the post against El Tri. He didn’t confine the drama to Mexico’s end, either, putting in a 90th minute own goal to give Mexico a late 4-3 lead before Yohance Marshall bailed him out with an equalizer in the 93rd.
PANAMA LOOKING TO PEAK: After finishing second at the 2013 Gold Cup and coming within seconds of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup, Panama entered this summer’s tournament expected to – at a minimum – challenge for a spot in the semifinals.
They’re only one win away from qualifying for the last four, but Los Canaleros have looked far from their best so far, drawing all three of their matches in the group stage. Their veteran core – led by FC Dallas’ Blas Perez and LA Galaxy’s Jaime Penedo – will need to put together their strongest effort yet in order to advance on Sunday.
