Panama have called six MLS players to take part in their trip to Europe later this month for friendlies vs. Denmark and Switzerland, as coach Hernan Dario Gomez prepares his team for their first-ever World Cup adventure this summer.
The New York Red Bulls duo of Michael Amir Murillo and Fidel Escobar lead the way in terms of the defender-heavy MLS contingent on the 24-man roster. They’re joined in the backline corps by Seattle Sounders star Roman Torres, Houston Dynamo center back Adolfo Machado and the San Jose Earthquakes’ Harold Cummings.
In midfield, Cummings’ fellow Quake Anibal Godoy has also been called. MLS fans may also recognize other names that once featured in the league, like former LA Galaxy goalkeeper Jaime Penedo, ex-Philadelphia Union midfielder Gabriel Gomez, Toronto FC alum Armando Cooper and ageless striker Blas Perez, formerly of FC Dallas and the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Los Canaleros edged out the US national team for CONCACAF’s third and final automatic qualification spot at Russia 2018 during the wild finish to the Hexagonal round last fall. They have been drawn into World Cup Group G with Belgium, England and Tunisia.
Gomez's squad will gather in Copenhagen starting on March 18 ahead of their meeting with Denmark on March 22, then move on to face Switzerland on March 27.
