Mexico will be desperate to bounce back after their humiliating loss to the USA in Thursday's CONCACAF Nations League semifinal, and No. 58-ranked Panama could be just what the doctor ordered for El Tri to get back on track.
Panama and Mexico will be facing off for third-place honors in the 2023 edition of the Nations League, and El Tri have dominated the Canaleros in their 27 head-to-head matches (19 wins and six draws).
While Panama's semifinal loss to Canada was expected, no one saw Mexico getting run over by their archrivals USA. The sensational 3-0 result has led to a media frenzy with a handful of players reportedly entertaining departing the squad managed by Diego Cocca, who is only in his fourth month at the helm of El Tri.
Both Mexico and Panama will next be setting their sights on the upcoming CONCACAF Gold Cup when this third-place match is out of the way. Mexico open against Honduras in Houston (Sunday, June 25), while Panama meet Costa Rica in Ft. Lauderdale (Monday, June 26).
Interestingly, the Under-23 sides of Mexico and Panama will also be going head-to-head earlier in the day for the title of the prestigious Maurice Revello Tournament in France (formerly named the Toulon Tournament).
MORE: Explaining how the CONCACAF Nations League works
What time does Mexico vs Panama kick off?
The Mexico vs. Panama consolation match will be the early match of a doubleheader at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.
- Date: Sunday, June 18
- Time: 6 p.m. ET (3 p.m. PT)
Despite the early afternoon 3 p.m. local start, the teams will be spared from the outdoor temperatures expected to reach 100 degree Fahrenheit. Allegiant Stadium has a roof and still has a natural grass surface which is wheeled in and out as needed.
If Mexico and Panama are level after 90 minutes, they will go to extra time, according to the official competition rules (page 22). If the stalemate persists, penalty kicks will follow.
The USA vs. Canada Nations League championship match is scheduled to follow at 8:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. PT).
Mexico vs Panama live stream, TV channel
Here are the TV and streaming designations for the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League third-place match in the USA and Canada:
- USA TV & streaming: Univision, TUDN, Fubo, Paramount+
- Canada TV & streaming: Telus (Ch. 980), Fubo, OneSoccer.ca
USA: The Mexico vs. Panama match will be televised in Spanish by Univision and TUDN, with both channels streaming on Fubo, which is available to new users on a free trial.
CBS platform Paramount+ will carry the English-language stream for subscribers.
Canada: OneSoccer has the rights to the match in Canada, and its broadcast will be televised on Telus (Ch. 980) and streamed on Fubo, as well as on the web at OneSoccer.ca.
Mexico vs Panama lineups
There's a lineup change (to a 4-3-3) and personnel changes all around. Cesar Montes and Gerardo Arteaga are forced absences due to suspension after receiving a red card in the semifinal. Into the game as starters are Erick Sanchez, Luis Romo, Ozziel Herrera, Julian Araujo, and Johan Vasquez.
Meanwhile, Alexis Vega is reportedly still struggling with a knee injury and could even miss the Gold Cup, but he's listed on the bench.
Mexico starting lineup (4-3-3): 13-Guillermo Ochoa (GK) — 2-Julian Araujo, 15-Israel Reyes, 5-Johan Vasquez, 23-Jesus Gallardo — 14-Erick Sanchez, 7-Luis Romo, 18-Luis Chavez — 21-Uriel Antuna, 11-Santiago Gimenez, 9-Ozziel Herrera
Mexico subs (10): 1-Jose Antonio Rodriguez (GK), 12-Luis Angel Malagon (GK), 19-Jorge Sanchez, 22-Victor Guzman, 16-Sebastian Cordova, 4-Edson Alvarez, 8-Carlos 'Charly' Rodriguez, 17-Orbelin Pineda, 10-Alexis Vega, 20-Henry Martin.
Left-back Eric Davis is suspended after his red card against Canada, and right-back Michael Amir Murillo has a hip injury that forced him off at halftime, and was not risked. Andres Andrade was also a late scratch due to injury.
That all means Cesar Blackman started at left-wingback, Roderick Miller assumes one of the three center-back positions, and Edgar Barcenas will operate as the right-wingback.
Alberto Quintero and Jose Fajardo are back from suspension and slot right into the lineup.
Panama lineup (5-3-2, right to left): 1-Luis Mejia (GK) — 10-Edgar Barcenas, 3-Harold Cummings, 4-Fidel Escobar, 5-Roderick Miller, 2-Cesar Blackman — 19-Alberto Quintero, 20-Anibal Godoy, 8-Adalberto Carrasquilla — 11-Ismael Diaz, 17-Jose Fajardo
Panama subs (11): 22-Orlando 'Kuty' Mosquera (GK), 12-Cesar Samudio (GK), 14-Eduardo Anderson, 16-Andres Andrade, 23-Michael Murillo, 13-Freddy Gondola, 6-Cristian Martinez, 7-Jovani Welch, 9-Azarias Londono, 21-Cesar Yanis, 18-Cecilio Waterman
Mexico vs Panama odds
The betting market expects Mexico to bounce back in a big way, and likely in a shutout. Depending on your sportsbook, Mexico are given an implied probability of about 64 percent to win.
The odds listed for a win or draw below are for the 90 minutes of regulation.
| MEX win |
Draw | PAN win |
Both teams to score Y / N |
Over / Under 2.5 goals |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM (USA) |
-185 | +280 | +375 | +100 / -140 | -110 / -130 |
| Sports Interaction (Canada) |
1.58 | 3.75 | 5.00 | 2.03 / 1.62 | 2.06 / 1.68 |