Panama target second successive Gold Cup final
PANAMA CITY, May 22 (Reuters) - Panama are aiming to reach a second Gold Cup final in a row, coach Alexandre Guimaraes said as he named his squad for next month's tournament in the U.S.
"We want to get to the final, any team which takes part wants to win the competition," the former Costa Rica World Cup coach told reporters.
"We are well aware of what the Gold Cup means for Panama."
Despite being considered rank outsiders, Panama reached the final of the tournament in 2005 where they lost on penalties to hosts United States after a goalless draw.
Panama face Honduras, Mexico and Cuba in their first-round group at the tournament which will again be held in the U.S. from June 6 to 24.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Jose Calderon (Chepo FC), Oscar McFarlane (Tauro FC), Jaime Penedo (Osasuna)
Defenders: Reynaldo Anderson (Arabe Unido), Felipe Baloy (America-Mexico), Luis Moreno (Tauro FC)
Carlos Rivera (Tauro FC), Joel Solanilla (Plaza Amador), Roman Torres (La Equidad)
Midfielders: Alberto Blanco (Plaza Amador), Rolando Escobar (Tauro FC), Gabriel Gomez (Santa Fe), Luis Henriquez (Tauro FC), Amilcar Henriquez (Arabe Unido), Engin Mitre (Plaza Amador), Juan Perez (Tauro FC), Ricardo Phillips (San Francisco), Victor Piggot (Islanders), Juan Ramon Solis (Aguila)
Forwards: Roberto Brown (Colorado Rapids), Jose Luis Garces (Belenenses), Nicolas Munoz (Aguila), Blas Perez (Cucuta)
