LAS VEGAS, Nevada – There are individual performances that are etched in memory forever, and that is the case of Henry Martin from Mexico and Panamanian Adalberto Carrasquilla, who, for shining in the semifinals, were selected in the Best XI.
Here is a look at the 2023 Gold Cup semifinals Best XI.
GK Orlando Mosquera (PAN) – Mosquera was one of the main heroes for Panama, as he made two saves in the penalty shootout to give his side a 5-4 win against the United States after a 1-1 draw. He ended the night with three saves.
DF Jesus Gallardo (MEX) – Gallardo was a menace on the left flank going forward for Mexico against Jamaica and collected assists on the first and third Mexico goals in the 3-0 win. His steady defensive work kept Jamaica’s dangerous wingers in check.
DF Johan Vasquez (MEX) – The Mexico spine was flawless against the Reggae Boyz and Vasquez was a big part of that. He completed 88 percent of his passes and had a steal, too.
DF Fidel Escobar (PAN) – Escobar was a rock in the back for Panama, completing 55 of 58 passes and making a steal, while keeping the U.S. attack under wraps.
DF Ivan Anderson (PAN) – Anderson took his goal very well by receiving a pass from Adalberto Carrasquilla and keeping his composure to chip past U.S. GK Matt Turner and fire into net.
MF Luis Chavez (MEX) – Chavez’s free kick for Mexico’s second goal was a work of art, as he curled it around the Jamaica wall and into the top left corner of net.
MF Adalberto Carrasquilla (PAN) – Carrasquilla had the assist on Ivan Anderson’s goal for Panama and then calmly converted the winning penalty for the Canaleros. That was on top of a masterful performance in midfield with 78 passes completed and three steals.
MF Luis Romo (MEX) – Romo was his usual workhorse self in midfield, completing 42 of 46 passes and never allowing Jamaica to break quickly on the counterattack.
MF Edgar Barcenas (PAN) – Panama are always in good hands when Barcenas is on the field and it showed again against the U.S. with three steals and 85 percent of passes completed.
FW Jesus Ferreira (USA) – Ferreira produced a moment of magic for the U.S. in extra time by volleying home a shot off a header from Jordan Morris to supply the lone U.S. goal of the day.
FW Henry Martin (MEX) – Martin got Mexico going in the best way possible with a goal just 80 seconds into the match versus Jamaica. It set the tone for El Tricolor the rest of the way.
