New FC Dallas signings Blas Perez and Carlos Rodriguez and new Philadelphia Union midfielder Gabriel Gomez are among the 18 players called in by Julio Dely Valdes for Panama's friendly against the United States next week.
Not included on Panama's roster are Santos Laguna centerback Felipe Baloy or star forward Luis Tejada, who scored three times at the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Valdes elected to go with a younger, more domestic-based roster, choosing a number of Panama's U-23 players. From the team that beat the United States in the group stage of the Gold Cup, only three starters — Perez, Gomez and Eduardo Dasent — are on the roster.
Here is Panama's 18-man team for the Jan. 25 match in Panama City:
GOALKEEPERS: Luis Mejia (Fenix), Kevin Melgar (Alianza FC).
DEFENDERS: Rolando Algandona (San Francisco FC), Edward Benitez (Sporting SM), Eduardo Dasent (Tauro FC), Carlos Rodriguez (FC Dallas), Sergio Thompson (Sporting SM), Eric Vasquez (Chorrillo FC).
MIDFIELDERS: Rolando Botello (Tauro FC), Gabriel Gomez (Philadephia Union), Juan de Gracia (Chepo FC), Luis Ovalle (Sporting SM), Alberto Quintero (Chorrillo FC), Marcos Sanchez (Tauro FC), Amir Waithe (San Francisco FC).
FORWARDS: Manuel Mosquera (Arabe Unido), Blas Perez (FC Dallas), Luis Renteria (Tauro FC).
Panama will be much tougher than Venezuela
MIA!
Rodriguez wasnt in there either…At least old man Ale Moreno played!
Gomez and Perez didnt even play in this one. They were also missing Tejada and Baloy. Firepower from both squads was lacking.
Renteria would help Columbus if they ever played him
As a Union fan I’m interested in seeing Gomez play. Hope he gets minutes.
Baloy is a beast but I’ll bet JK would rather his untested team face the best competition possible.
Baloy is an absolute stud on that back line. Bet Jurgi is glad to see him scratched after watching some film on the past meetings.
Also Mosquera and Renteria could help at least a few teams.
Some MLS team should be pursuing Dasent…