Blas Perez
FC Dallas forward Blas Perez (7) reacts after scoring a goal on a penalty kick during the first half against the Montreal Impact at Toyota Stadium. Reuters/Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

CONCACAF announced that all tickets have been sold for the 2015 Gold Cup kick off doubleheader in Dallas today July 7 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco Texas; Group A begins its Gold Cup run in the south state with Panama facing Haiti at 6:00 p.m. CT, followed by USA versus Honduras at 8:30 p.m. CT.

“Los Canaleros” or also known as “Marea Roja” Panama national team will be directed by Hernan Dario Gomez a Colombian head coach and Captain Felipe Baloy. Panama is getting stronger lately; the team advanced to the fourth round for the 2014 World Cup qualifications. At their last qualifications match against the USA, the were about 90 seconds away from beating Americans and advancing to play-off, buy they conceded two goals in stoppage time and were eliminated from qualifications. Panama is now FIFA raking number 54.

Players to watch: Panama’s Blas Perez still strong for his team. The veteran striker is third all-time with 10 goals over the course of the tournaments. Also Perez has been one of the most successful strikers in the region. He has 36 goals in 88 appearances since joining FC Dallas in 2012. Haitian’s players to watch are Wilde Donald Guerrier and Jean-Phillippe Peguero. In 2013 both strikers made goal to draw against Italy 2-2.

Otherwise, Haiti as per June 2015 is FIFA ranking number 76; Haitians head coach is Marc Collat and their captain Johnny Placide. They were the second Caribbean team to make the World Cup, which was their only appearance in 1974. Their most recent achievement was in 2007, when the national team won the 2007 Caribbean Nations Cup.

Some facts to know, Panama have the most second-place finishes (2005-2013) without winning a title in the history of the Gold Cup. Prediction barring a disaster, of course the favorite in this group A is USA, they will win the group and should do so fairly comfortably, Of course, Panama or Honduras could shock the Americans and if they do, the USMNT’s route to the final will get much more complicate. Haiti does not have a chance to win according with some experts. Panama will beat Haiti 3-0.

The Gold Cup will be televised nationally on Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, UniMas, Univision, UDN. Live Stream: Fox Sports Go. Who will win First CONCACAF 2015 Gold Cup Mach? Vote Here!

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