Each week during the MLS season, the MLSsoccer.com editors share their picks ahead of league matches. This time, they take a crack at Tuesday's World Cup qualifying match between the United States and Panama in Panama City (9:30 pm ET, beIN Sport).
Disagree? Make your voice heard in the comment section below!
<strong>Editor</strong> |
<strong>Score</strong> |
<strong>Comments</strong> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/GregLalas_0.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><br><strong>Greg Lalas</strong><br><em>Editor-In-Chief</em></p> |
<br><p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/logo-panama.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; width: 40px; height: 40px;"><br><strong>2-1</strong></p> |
Desperate times for Panama. Combine that with their talent and the lack of any real purpose for the US down there, and Panama should get three points. Will it be enough? Probably not. |
<br><p><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/freedman_2.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><br><strong>Jonah Freedman</strong><br><em>Managing Editor</em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/logo-panama.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; width: 40px; height: 40px;"><br><strong>2-1</strong></p> |
<p>As well as a "1A" US lineup could perform here, there will be a wave of emotion and urgency at Estadio Rommel Fernández that the Yanks won't be able to overcome, keeping Klinsmann 0-for-Central America.</p> |
<em><strong><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/valencia_1.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"></strong></em><p class="rtecenter"><strong>Kristel Valencia</strong><br><em><span style="font-size: 12px;">Editor FutbolMLS.com</span></em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/index.jpg" style="width: 35px; height: 35px;"><br><strong>2-0</strong></p> |
<p>Desperation is Panama’s worst enemy in this game and it will play against them. <em>Los</em><em>Canaleros </em>are a strong team offensively, but they are too weak in defense. The US will not miss the opportunity to show why they are the Lords and Masters in the region.</p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><em><strong><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Doyle_2.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"></strong></em><br><strong>Matt Doyle</strong><br><em>Armchair Analyst</em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/index.jpg" style="width: 35px; height: 35px;"><br><strong>1-0</strong></p> |
<p>This team is too talented to go through an entire cycle without a win in Central America. Plus the Panamanians will come to attack, which means acres of space for the US counter. </p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/AndrewWiebe_0.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><br><strong>Andrew Wiebe</strong><br><em>Editor</em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><strong>DRAW</strong><br><strong>1-1</strong></p> |
World Cup or bust for <em>Los Canaleros</em> turns bust after Jozy Altidore cancels out an early home goal. With Brazil in sight, Jurgen Klinsmann gives his fringe players a run, and they deliver with an impressive road draw against a desperate side. |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/JasonSaghini_1.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><br><strong>Jason Saghini</strong><br><em>Director of Video</em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/logo-panama.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; width: 40px; height: 40px;"><br><strong>2-1</strong></p> |
<p>It's tough enough to win in Panama, but with so little on the line for the US, you can't blame the team for coming up short. Here's to hoping everyone gets through the match healthy.</p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Borg_0.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><br><strong>Simon Borg</strong><br><em>Senior Editor</em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/index.jpg" style="width: 35px; height: 35px;"><br><strong>2-0</strong></p> |
<p>I've never been on the Panama bandwagon and I'm not starting now. Julio Dely Valdés has an overachieving side with limited talent. Their starting midfield is not as good as the US reserves and their forwards don't stack up to the USMNT's firepower, either. Easy US win.</p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Rosano_2.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><br><strong>Nick Rosano</strong><br><em>Editor</em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/logo-panama.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; width: 40px; height: 40px;"><br><strong>2-1</strong></p> |
<p>The "reserves" will offer up some positive signs, but Jurgen Klinsmann has yet to win in Central America and I don't see that changing against a Panama team that must win to have any hope of catching Mexico and claiming CONCACAF's playoff berth.</p> |
