The U.S. men’s national team faces a familiar and pesky foe in Atlanta on Thursday when it goes up against Panama in a Copa America Group C match.

Panama earned a shootout victory over the Americans in the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinals, although it should be noted that the U.S. essentially fielded a B-team after winning the CONCACAF Nations League Finals a few weeks earlier.

Still, the Panamanians can use that result and a 1-0 home victory over the U.S. in a 2022 World Cup qualifier for confidence after opening this year’s Copa with a 3-1 loss to Uruguay.

“We just have to make sure that we come out 100 percent and not take anything for granted,” U.S. forward Tim Weah said. “We know what Panama is capable of and we just have to make sure we’re on our A game.”

It’s crunch time for Panama (0-0-1), which needs a victory to improve its slim chances of being in the top two in Group C to advance to the knockout round. The U.S. (1-0-0), coming off a 2-0 win against Bolivia, is in much better position.

Panama coach Thomas Christiansen felt his team gave Uruguay too much respect based on its South American lineage and hopes his team starts more aggressively on Thursday.

“We’ve known the U.S. team for years,” Christiansen said. “We’ve seen their evolution, a very good and important revolution, and besides the players they have in the big leagues, we have the whole team to consider.

“It’s been a very competitive team. … As to intensity, I think they’re quite even with Uruguay in that sense.”

The United States dominated Bolivia in shot attempts (20-6) but only managed goals from Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun. The focus will be on sharpening play in front of the goal before playing Uruguay on Monday in a match that could determine the group winner.

“It’s a huge opportunity for all of us,” U.S. midfielder Gio Reyna said. “I think collectively, as a group, it’s more important that we know what we can really show the world what we can do.”

–Field Level Media