After a dramatic last day of qualifying Panama realized their long-held dream of qualifying for their first ever senior World Cup. The Panamanian national team has been working on this for quite a while and all the hard work has finally paid off. With some assistance from the legendary Dely Valdés twins, the country heavily focused on their youth programs and managed to qualify for back to back U17 World Cups in 2011 and 2013. Their u20 program is even more impressive qualifying for 5 U20 World Cups between 2003 and 2015. Much of the players progressed through the ranks and now represent the senior team today. This progression has seen a much stronger national team that was evidenced by their 2005 and 2013 Gold Cup runs where the Panamanians made it all the way to final only to lose to the to the United States on both occasions.. Four years ago the team failed to capitalize on a weak Mexican showing in the CONCACAF Hex and narrowly failed to qualify for Brazil 2014. This time around they made sure to take advantage of the Americans disorganization and cavalier approach to qualifying and squeezed into Russia by the skin of their teeth. Now Panama needs to find a balance between rewarding some of their ageing battlers and giving the experience to many of their exciting young talents.

 

Head Coach: Hernán Darío Gómez

 

Population: 4 million

 

Appearances: 0

 

Best: N/A

 

How they Qualified: With Honduras leading Mexico and the United States losing to last-placed Trinidad and Tobago, Panama needed to win over regional powerhouse Costa Rica to qualify. With the score tied at 1-1 center back, Roman Torres took matters into his own hands going up the field to blast Panama into the World Cup in front of a packed home crowd. 

 

Star Players: Román Torres(Seattle Sounders), Gabriel Torres(CD Huachipato),Aníbal Godoy(San Jose Earthquakes), Felipe Baloy(Municipal CSD), Luis Ovalle(Olimpia)

 

Wildcard: Jaime Penedo- Panama's Goalkeeper can be considered a certified star player for this team. With over 100 caps to his name, his experience would be needed in Russia. The former La Galaxy shot-stopper is now playing with Fotbal Club Dinamo Bucureșt in Romania where he has been a league champion. The suggestion is if Panama is to get out of the group he has to play well.

 

Legend:Julio Dely Valdés

GOALKEEPERS

 

Jose Calderon-Chorrillo

Jaime Penedo-Dinamo Bucharest(Romania) 

Alex Rodriguez-San Francisco

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DEFENDERS

 

Azmahar Ariano (Patriots)

 

Felipe Baloy (Municipal CSD)

 

Harold Cummings (San Jose Earthquakes)

 

Eric Davis (Dunajska Streda)

 

Fidel Escobar (New York Red Bulls)

 

Adolfo Machado (Houston Dynamo)

 

Michael Murillo (New York Red Bulls)

 

Luis Ovalle (Olimpia)

 

Francisco Palacios (San Francisco)

 

Richard Peralta (Alliance)

 

Roman Torres-Seattle Sounders(USA)

 

 

MIDFIELDERS

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Ricardo Avila-Gent(Belgium)

 

Edgar Barcenas (Cafetaleros de Tapachula) 

 

Ricardo Buitrago (Municipal,

 

Miguel Camargo (Universidad San Martin) 

 

Adalberto Carrasquilla (Tauro) 

 

Armando Cooper0Universidad de Chile(chile)

 

Anibal Godoy-San Jose Earthquakes(USA) 

 

Gabriel Gomez (Bucaramanga)

 

Jose Gonzalez (Union Comercio) 

 

Cristian Martinez-Columbus Crew(USA)

 

Valentin Pimentel (Plaza Amador)

 

Alberto Quintero (Universitario) 

 

Jose Luis Rodriguez-GenT(Belgium)

 

 

 

FoRWARDS

 

 

Abdiel Arroyo-Alajuelense(Costa Rica)

 

Rolando Blackburn (Chorrillo)

 

Ismael Diaz-Deportivo La Coruna(Spain)

 

Jose Fajardo (Independiente)

 

Roberto Nurse (Mineros Zacatecas)

 

Blas Perez (Municipal)

 

Luis Tejada (Sports Boys)

 

Gabriel Torres (CD Huachipato)