2019 Concacaf Gold Cup — Group Stage
Panama vs. Trinidad & Tobago
Allianz Field — St. Paul
June 18 — 7:30 PM ET
TV: FS1, UniMás, UDN, TSN3
STREAMING: FOX Sports GO
It is bound to be a special moment for Minnesota United's Kevin Molino, when he steps on the familiar Allianz Field with Trinidad & Tobago to take on Panama in the opening match of Group D Tuesday night.
The teams have met in the Gold Cup twice before and both meetings resulted in draws, including 1-1 in the 2015 Gold Cup. Both teams qualified by reaching the hexagonal stage of 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying.
Panama
Panama have a rich history in the Gold Cup, reaching the final in 2005 and 2013, losing to the US both times. This is their ninth Gold Cup appearance, and eighth in a row and they've advanced out of the group stage eight consecutive times.
History is one thing, the present is another and currently Los Canaleros, under the direction of Julio Dely Valdes for a third time, are struggling. They had matching 3-0 losses to South American competition leading up to the Gold Cup, losing in Colombia and Uruguay. In fact, their last win was over Trinidad & Tobago in an international friendly on April 18, 2018 with Josiel Nunez scoring the 90th-minute goal at Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.
Trinidad & Tobago
The Soca Warriors are competing in their 10th Gold Cup after missing out on the 2017 tournament, but have only advanced out of the group stage three times, including a semifinals appearance in 2000.
Coached by former national team legend Dennis Lawrence, Trinidad & Tobago are also hungry for results. They fell to Canada, 2-0, in a closed-door friendly at Cal-State Fullerton on June 10 after returning from Japan following a 0-0 draw against Samurai Blue. The well-traveled Soca Warriors also had matching 1-0 losses at Wales, Iran and Thailand since their last victory, a 2-0 win over United Arab Emirates in Girona, Spain on Sept. 6, 2018.
Series Matchup
- Panama: 0 wins, 3 goals
- Trinidad & Tobago: 0 wins, 3 goals
Officials
- Referee: Escobedo Gonzalez, Adonai (MEX)
- Assistant Referees: Morin Mendez, Alberto (MEX), Barwegen Michael Andrew (CAN)
- Fourth Official: Guerrero, Fernando (MEX)
