Panama: Three Players to Keep An Eye on at the 2018 World Cup

Panama heads to Russia for the start of next week’s World Cup with the oldest roster in the tournament and six players who have 100 or more caps to their name. All that experience has made this roster full of familiar names in the CONCACAF region, but for the rest of the world, this will be 0the first introduction to The Canal Boys. Here’s three players I’m keeping an eye on as Panama navigates a difficult group.

Roman Torres (Defender, 32, Seattle Sounders:) The Seattle Sounders defender was the hero of the day last October when his late winner flipped CONCACAF on it’s collective head beat Costa Rica and pushed Panama through to Russia. Debuting for Panama in 2005, the 32 year old is the anchor of a Panama defense that will have it’s hands full with the attacking force the rest of the Group will bring at Panama. For Panama to have any hope, Torres will have to be the guy who uglies up the game while simultaneously keeping the rest of his defense together.

Anibal Godoy, seen here with his club side the San Jose Earthquakes, will play a key role for Panama at this year’s World Cup (photo credit: Lyndsay Radnedge/Center Line Soccer)

Anibal Godoy (Midfielder, 28, San Jose Earthquakes:) Another guy that Panama will rely on to frustrate the opposition and make the game as CONCACAF as possible is the San Jose Earthquakes midfielder. Godoy has had an up and down last couple years with the Quakes but he’s been a steady influence in the midfield for Los Canaleros. At 28, Godoy is on of the few players on the roster that has a few years ahead of him and a strong showing in Russia could catch the eye of some European suitors (think English Championship or Dutch Eredivise), a move that some in San Jose would not be at all opposed to.

Blas Perez will be counted on for some offensive spark at this year’s World Cup.

Blas Perez (Forward, 37, Municipal:) Yes, he still exists. After leaving life as an MLS villian in 2016, the former FC Dallas and Vancouver Whitecaps striker has found new life with Municipal of the Guatemalan Liga Nacional, scoring 13 goals in 32 matches. At 37, Perez has been a major part of Panama’s rise through CONCACAF, and his inclusion in the final squad is more than ceremonial, he’s got some left in the tank. Expect to see him hard at work tiring opposing defenses and getting under their skin.