USA vs Panama: Gold Cup 2015 Bronze Medal Match, Preview, Live Stream & Predictions
USA and Panama will collide in the bronze medal match of the 2015 Gold Cup on Saturday at the PPL Park in Pennsylvania -- a day before Mexico and Jamaica battle for the title.
USA were heavy favorites heading into the tournament and were poised to win their sixth Gold Cup title, but they took a 2-1 loss against Jamaica in the semifinals.
Playing in a match with only the bronze medal at stake, USA team captain Michael Bradley that they have to give the fans what they are looking for and play the game way it should be played.
"We have a responsibility to ourselves, to our fans, to step on the field and play well, to compete and to give anybody who walks into that stadium a good show," Bradley said via Sports Illustrated. "And we'll do that."
USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann also admitted that they expected to be in the finals of the tournament. But now that they have to settle for the bronze medal match, he still believes his players are professional enough and will play at their best against Panama.
"Obviously, it's not the game we wanted to be in," Klinsmann said. "They are professionals. They have the responsibility to go out there and give everything they have. And we coaches, we have the responsibility to tell them that, probably a few more times than we usually do it."
On the other hand, Panama also vowed to play the game the right way on Saturday despite absorbing a painful 2-1 defeat to Mexico in extra time of their semifinal match. In a statement, the team vowed to show respect to the game despite coming off a controversial defeat to Mexico.
"In the midst of this pain, we feel the Panamanian National Team lifts itself up with dignity and plays on in this Gold Cup, for our country, for the respect our rival deserves in the third place match, and for all of those who believe this sport is good, despite some wanting to convert it in something totally different to its nature," the statement read.
Panama will play without Jaime Penedo, who was handed a two-match ban following an incident with the referee during the semifinals, while Valentin Pimentel and Luis Tejada will also sit out due to suspension.
Where To Watch, Live Stream & Predictions
Both teams are coming off painful defeats, but expected USA to come out with more energy than their counterparts. Playing on home soil will be a factor as USA will not let the tournament end without getting a medal in front of their fans, who expected them to win it all this year. USA 2-0.
The match will be shown live on Fox Sports 2 and will kick off at 4 p.m. ET. Fans can also catch the Gold Cup 2015 bronze medal match through online live stream via Fox Soccer 2Go.
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