Panama U-20 team draws with Pachuca in friendly ahead of Concacaf Championship

Panama's U-20 national soccer team is intensifying its preparations for the upcoming Concacaf U-20 Championship with a series of friendly matches in Mexico. The team recently played its first preparatory game, drawing 1-1 against a combined U-21 and U-19 squad from Mexican club Pachuca.

The match, held at the Universidad del Fútbol facilities in Hidalgo, saw Panama take the lead through a powerful long-range strike from Gerson Gordón. However, Pachuca's U-21 team quickly responded with a goal from outside the penalty area, leveling the score before halftime. In the second half, Panama faced Pachuca's U-19 team, and the score remained unchanged.

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Panamá opened the scoring thanks to a goal from Gerson Gordón, who unleashed a powerful long-range shot to put Panama ahead.

This friendly is a crucial part of coach Mike Stump's strategy as Panama aims to secure one of the four qualification spots for the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup. The Concacaf U-20 Championship is scheduled to take place in Puebla, Mexico, from July 24 to August 9. Panama's opening match in the tournament is set for July 26 against Canada in Group C.

The Panamanian squad will play a second and final friendly on Monday, July 20, against a team from the third division of Mexican football, the Universidad del Fútbol's third-tier side. Following this match, the team will continue training in Pachuca until July 24, when they relocate to Puebla for the group stage.

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Minutes later, the U-21 squad of Pachuca responded in the same way with a shot from outside the area to establish the definitive 1-1 before halftime.