The United States U-17 team is already through to the quarterfinals of the 2011 CONCACAF Championship, but their work is far from over. They take on Panama on Friday at Jarrett Park in Montego Bay, Jamaica (4:30 p.m ET, follow at USSoccer.com), in an opportunity for the young squad to finish on top of Group B.
A win or draw will give the Americans the No. 1 position – but it's more important that Wilmer Cabrera's squad play well. The coach wasn't happy with their effort in their first match vs. Cuba, despite the favorable 3-1 score line. They have 90 minutes to impress the skipper.
The US shouldn't have trouble dispatching their opponents, who played to a tough 0-0 draw with Cuba on Wednesday. The Americans are familiar with the field, having played at Jarrett Park during their two-match training trip to Jamaica last month. They can't afford to look ahead to a quarterfinal with either Costa Rica or El Salvador, but they also need to understand that the game on Feb. 22 is the one that really matters.
USA
Cabrera's squad started off slowly against Cuba but ultimately prevailed. By the coach's own assertion, however, the squad only played well for a 10- or 15-minute stretch after halftime. They were already up one goal, but Andrew Oliver and Esteban Rodriguez's tallies put the match out of reach. Cabrera wants to see a more complete effort from his team against the Central American side.
The US will likely be without Matt Dunn, who picked up a yellow card against Cuba. Cabrera would be foolish to risk the midfielder seeing a second caution that would keep him out for the do-or-die quarterfinal match. They will regain the services of Alejandro Guido and Marc Pelosi, who missed the first game for undisclosed reasons. The duo will significantly strengthen the already potent attack of the Stars and Stripes.
Panama
Former MLS star Jorge Dely Valdés' team probably should have won their own opener, but squandered multiple opportunities against the Cubans, including a penalty kick in the opening quarter-hour. Still, they can advance to the quarterfinals with any result better than a two-goal loss. They reached the CONCACAF Championship courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Honduras – a team the US defeated 6-0 – and a loss to Guatemala. Getting to the elimination stage of the tournament would be an accomplishment for a country that has never reached the World Cup.
Netminder Iván Picart will find his goal under assault from the relentless US attack, but the RÃo Abajo product is solid between the pipes. Eric Francisco and Francisco Narbon will protect him while Roberto Chen – who missed the PK against Cuba – seeks to atone for his sins and provide organization in the midfield. The job of scoring will fall to Jorman Aguilar, but don't expect him to get sucked too far up the field as Valdés seeks to limit the US' chances.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
United States: Mobi Fehr
The central defender is the key to the American back line. He arrived at the US academy in Bradenton, Fla., for the fall semester and immediately found himself in the starting lineup. Tall, quick, and confident on the ball, Fehr works well with fellow center back Andrew Souders to stomp out threats and initiate the US attack. He won't be challenged too much by Panama, but he's play will be a key in the quarterfinal and during the World Cup (assuming the Americans reach the tournament).
Panama: Jorman Aguilar
The country's best young striker will give his team the best chance to beat American goalkeeper Francisco Piña. He netted two goals in a warm-up match against Costa Rica in November – an impressive 3-0 victory for Panama – but has been quiet since. He'll need to be better if his country wants to reach the World Cup.
US Projected Starting XI
Piña
Acosta-Fehr-Souders-Smith
E. Rodriguez-Guido-Pelosi
Koroma-M. Rodriguez-Oliver
Panama Projected Starting XI
Pickart
Francisco-Maughn-Narbon-Stephens
Wright-Chen-Gonzalez
Vargas-Browne-Aguilar
Final Analysis
The Americans will play better than they did against Cuba, but the sense of urgency from Panama will keep the match close for awhile. Ultimately, however, Cabrera's side will waltz into the top spot in Group B with ease.
Noah Davis covers the United States national team for MLSsoccer.com. Follow him on Twitter at @noahedavis.
