BRADENTON, Florida – A spot in the 2018 Concacaf Under-20 Championship Final will be on the line on Monday when Mexico and Panama square off in match three of Group H of the Qualification Stage.
Both teams have already punched their tickets to next summer’s 2019 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Poland, and a place in the CU20 Final would make things taste even sweeter for El Tricolor or the Canaleros.
The two sides entered the Qualification Stage unbeaten and then each was able to top El Salvador 1-0, but something will have to give on Monday.
Mexico is led by prolific goal-scorer Jose Macias, who tops the tournament scorers’ list with 10 goals. At the other end, the El Tricolor defense has also starred, with five clean sheets in six matches thus far.
Panama has been defensively stout as well with three clean sheets, and up front will be leaning on the attacking exploits of Saed Diaz and Diego Valanta to try to breach the Mexican defense.
