US, Panama on the verge of CONCACAF Nations League semis

Within the CONCACAF Nations League quarter-finals, the USA and Panama each established commanding positions with spectacular 3-0 victories of their respective first-leg matches, placing them one step nearer to the semi-finals and, consequently, securing berths in subsequent 12 months’s Copa America.

In a late surge at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas, the USA secured a victory over Trinidad and Tobago. Antonee Robinson performed a pivotal position with a aim and an help, as the USA discovered the again of the web thrice within the last 10 minutes of normal time, establishing a cushty lead forward of the return leg on Monday.

Whereas the USA dominated proceedings from the beginning, they struggled to breach a resilient Trinidad and Tobago protection. Nevertheless, a second yellow card for Trinidad and Tobago’s Noah Powder within the thirty seventh minute left the Soca Warriors with 10 males, prompting the USA to push ahead aggressively looking for the opening aim.

Stout protection

Trinidad and Tobago, significantly goalkeeper Denzil Smith, put up a stout protection, making vital saves, together with stops on makes an attempt by Yunus Musah and Sergino Dest. However, their resistance crumbled within the 81st minute when Robinson’s cross from the left wing was deftly flicked in by Ricardo Pepi, giving the house facet a 1-0 lead.

The aim not solely energized the USA but in addition disheartened the Trinidadians, resulting in defensive lapses. Robinson, minutes after offering the help, added a aim of his personal with a robust left-footed end within the 86th minute. The US sealed the 3-0 victory within the 89th minute when Gio Reyna capitalized on a cross from Folarin Balogun to search out the again of the web.

Panama continued their dominance over Costa Rica with a convincing victory on the Estadio Saprissa in San Jose. This win got here as a follow-up to their earlier 1-0 conquer the Ticos within the 2022-23 Nations League group stage.

A dream begin

Panama acquired off to a dream begin, with Michael Murillo’s completely executed fourth-minute free kick discovering the highest proper nook of the web. They prolonged their lead within the twenty ninth minute when a defensive error by Costa Rica allowed Jose Fajardo to capitalize with a right-footed end.

Costa Rica tried to mount a response, and Jimmy Marin got here near pulling a aim again with a Thirty third-minute shot that narrowly missed the submit. Nevertheless, Panama took benefit of area on the counterattack within the sixtieth minute, leading to Adalberto Carrasquilla sliding a cross to Cecilio Waterman, who made it 3-0 with a scientific end.

With a cushty three-goal cushion, Panama performed to their strengths and successfully thwarted Costa Rican assaults, securing a complete victory.

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