The United States men’s national team kicks off its 2017 Gold Cup with its toughest test of the group stage, as Panama visits Nashville for a 4:50 p.m. ET kickoff.
The match is followed by Nicaragua and Martinique at 7 p.m. ET.
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Panama and the USMNT drew 1-1 in World Cup qualifying on March 28, but both teams have significant changes.
The Yanks won’t bear any resemblance to that unit, while Panama is without its starting goalkeeper and a trio of backs from that encounter in Central America.
Omar Gonzalez and Matt Besler are at center back in front of Brad Guzan, with Jorge Villafana and Graham Zusi on the outside. Alejandro Bedoya will captain the unit, with Kellyn Acosta, Dax McCarty, Joe Corona, Kelyn Rowe, and Dom Dwyer completing the XI.
And so it begins! Introducing your #USMNT starting XI for our #GoldCup2017 opener vs. Panama.
— U.S. Men's National Soccer Team (@USMNT) July 8, 2017
Lineup notes: https://t.co/sW4HHMO8dm pic.twitter.com/ZcFuP2SOLD