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Haiti, Panama advance to Copa America Centenario

Soccer: Gold Cup-Haiti at Honduras

The 2016 Copa America Centenario field is officially set after Friday’s two remaining spots in the competition were decided.

In the first of the two fixtures to kick off from Panama City, second-half substitute Pascal Millien scored Haiti’s lone goal, which proved to be enough to top Trinidad & Tobago. Including Friday’s Play-In match, the Jacksonville Armada midfielder has appeared for his Haitian side in 29 matches; however, this was his first national team goal.

It took just four minutes for Panama to create separation against Cuba in the second Play-In match. Gabriel Gomez opened the scoring for the Panamanians in front of their home crowd, before Luis Tejada doubled the team’s lead in the 18th minute. Tejada converted a penalty kick after teammate Blas Perez was taken down by Cuba’s Yosel Piedra Guillen.

Panama tacked on two second-half goals from Armando Cooper and Perez, solidifying the home team’s fate on the night.

Both Haiti and Panama will round out the Copa America Centenario field of 16, which also includes the U.S. Men’s National Team, Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica from CONCACAF. Joining those six sides will be all 10 South American nations that represent CONMEBOL.

The competition will begin on June 3 in the United States.

What did you think of Friday’s Play-In matches? Does any CONCACAF team have a chance at winning this year’s Copa America? Who’s your favorite to win the competition?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Pot A: USA, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina
    Pot B: Uruguay, Colombia, Chile, Peru
    Pot C: Venezuela, Bolivia, Paraguay, Ecuador
    Pot D: Costa Rica, Haiti, Panama, Jamaica

    Could be as easy as Peru, Bolivia, Panama
    Or as hard as Chile, Ecuador, Costa Rica
    Either way getting out of the group should be expected.

    Reply
  2. Was checking out the schedule and the US’s third opponent in the group stage plays in Orlando, then Pasadena, then back to Philly to play the US. If we can’t win that game after that brutal schedule. Plus I think the US gets an extra day because they play in the opener.

    Reply

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