Panama v. Trinidad & Tobago, Copa America and Gold Cup: game threads and how to watch

Group D kicks off in the Gold Cup while Group A plays their second in Copa America

By Jacob Landsberg@jhlands Jun 18, 2019, 1:00pm PDT

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Soccer: 2018 World Cup Qualifier-Panama at USA

Copa America starts matchday two for their groups and and the Gold Cup moves to its final group to start the Cup, as the USMNT and Group D kickoff.

Group A of Copa America produced three goals during their first matchday, all by Brazil. Brazil will look to continue their romp through the group when they face Venezuela. Venezuela thrashed the US after faltering to Mexico in preparation for the tournament, but couldn’t do much against an organized Peruvian side in their first game. Left back Luis Mago is suspended after picking up two yellow cards in the first match, meaning that Philippe Coutinho, Richarlison, and Dani Alves get to run at the second choice LB for Venezuela. Those players are hard to contain with your best out there and made Bolivia look silly, so they will likely produce a plethora of chances and another goal or two for Brazil against the Venezuelans. Venezuela likes to set up in a 4-1-4-1, but may need to sit back more to try and bother Brazil.

Peru didn’t play Ruidiaz in their first game, and I am going to blame that for their lack of goals. They did not lack for chances, though, putting 17 shots with 5 on target, while being in an arguably more defensive gameplan for most of the match and making subs to control the match instead of pushing for goals. Bolivia is a much weaker team than Venezuela, but Peru shouldn’t be overconfident coming into this game. If Peru can get a win and go into their final match with four points through the first two matches, they set themselves up well to get out of the group.

Gold Cup moves to their final group, with Group D finally getting their first matches. It's arguably the “Group of Death” for this tournament, since three of the four teams could feasibly advance from the group without needing a shock result. Panama, Trinidad & Tobago, and the USA could all finish in the top two and Guyana will likely just be the group punching bag. Roman Torres kicks off facing Joevin Jones as Panama and T&T open the day. Both teams have a tendency to sit as the “lesser” team, but in this game they’ll be fairly even and will likely take turns controlling possession and pushing the pace. Both teams have pace and strong CBs that sometimes make questionable plays. Of the two Gold Cup games today, this is the more competitive one. Neither team fared well in their warm-up games, but both were also missing some key players in those matches.

The United States faces off with Guyana in what should be a blowout. Maybe not quite the 13-0 the USWNT put up on Thailand, but it should be a game that the USMNT can use to build confidence before playing perpetual thorns Panama and T&T.

What to Watch

Brazil’s right side. Bolivia sat back and Brazil ate them alive. Richarlison and Coutinho spent most of the match hanging out on the right wing before cutting back inside to shoot or pass. The trio of Richarlison, Coutinho, and Alves combined for 9 of Brazil’s 20 shots, with all coming from right side or right center. Venezuela is without their left back and that could be a problem.
Venezuela looked good against the USMNT but poor against Peru. They’ll need everything they have to hold back Brazil. If Venezuela goes behind early, how does their shape change? Watch for them to play conservative until halftime, then push it after the break.
Peru wants to find a goal; will they make changes? Raul Ruidiaz earned the assist on their sole goal in the warm-up games — will they go back to him? Against Bolivia, the scoring should come easier. Expect Peru to come out on the attack and look for a goal early to set the tone.
In the battle of Sounders, expect some end-to-end stuff between Panama and T&T. Whoever scores first will likely sit back and try and grab their second on the counter. Which team can get onto the score sheet first?
Is the USMNT able to gain some confidence and blowout Guyana, or do they set themselves in a terrible position by struggling against one of the weakest teams at the Gold Cup?

How to Watch

Bolivia v. Peru

Group: A

Location: Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho (Maracanã), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Date and time: June 18, 2019, 2:30 PM PT

TV: Telemundo (Spanish)

Streaming: ESPN+ (affiliate link), Telemundo, FuboTV (affiliate link)

Brazil v. Venezuela

Group: A

Location: Fonte Nova Arena, Salvador, Brazil

Date and time: June 18, 2019, 5:30 PM PT

TV: Telemundo (Spanish)

Streaming: ESPN+ (affiliate link), Telemundo, FuboTV (affiliate link)