The sold-out crowd is slowly starting to fill the sections, the music is pumping in loud, and the passion can be felt from every angle inside the arena. The million-dollar question is why the New York Red Bulls can’t duplicate this nightly along with NYCFC. This is football aka soccer aka Futbol aka calcio aka futebol. Seeing the fans dancing in their sections, waving their colors proudly is a great sight to see. The air is a bit hazy from the Canadian Wildfires, the air is fine, with no struggles like the last time the wildfire smoke came through the region.
It’s great seeing fans having mutual respect, just saw fans from El Salvador take a picture of a Panama fan for him so the Panamanian team could be in the background of his photo. The beautiful game at its finest in one small moment of kindness between fans of opposing countries. The pro-Panama crowd was loud and proud during the anthems you could feel the passion around the arena.
Panama has come out of the gates strong tonight against Martinique but just missing the final touch for the early lead. So far Martinique has spent the full 10′ protecting their back line from the Panama attacking forwards and midfield.
Martinique had its best chance of the match so far in the 12′ when Andy Marny had snuck behind the Panama line, unfortunately, he was slow a foot and they collapsed quickly on him to take away the chance at goal, putting the ball out for a corner kick. Martinique gets a stellar chance again in the 14′ this time Panama goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera stood tall denying the 1 v 1 with Martinique’s Enrick Reuperne.
Panama’s starting Center Back Fidel Escobar (2017-2018) and left wing-back Amir Murillo (2017-2019) should feel at home here in Red Bull Arena, both spent time with the New York team of MLS. In the 18′ Martinique’s Enrick Reuperne picks up a yellow card after a foul at midfield.
The man in the middle tonight Said Martinez is no stranger to big matchups. He’s handled this match well to this point. It’s all one can ask for out of a referee, fairness, and precision. Through 30′ of play Panama has dominated but can’t find the back of the goal. El Salvador and Panama seem to be the fan bases making up a good portion of the crowd tonight. During the first match, there are several empty seats still despite every ticket being sold for the day.
Great chance for Panama denied with a brilliant save by Martinique goalkeeper Theo DePercin making an amazing diving save across the goal mouth in the 39′. Jose Fajardo will want that header opportunity back in the 42′, he missed timed the jump by milliseconds and saw the ball sail over his head instead of going into the empty goal in front of him. Just another missed opportunity out of many Panama’s had in this first half of play.
In the 45′ Martinique’s Yordan Thimon went down in the box for a head injury, he is on the sideline waiting to be called back on. The referee calls him on after a short wait and then blows the whistle to end the half despite the player being down for over a minute. Panama’s fans chant for their team as they leave the pitch for intermission.
The second half is underway, and the stands are filling in even more as the game moves along. Martinique with a dangerous free-kick attempt in the 50′ but the kick goes wide of goal and out for a goal kick.
What a goal for Panama, and Red Bull Arena goes electric in the 57′, the goal via a header by Jose Fajardo, he placed the ball under the crossbar near 2nd post to give them the 1 – 0 lead.
Panama fans are on their feet and getting louder cheering their side on in the 62′, it is great to hear this arena finally come alive this year. The wave breaks out at Red Bull Arena and the crowd is thunderous you can’t hear a thing inside the arena. Messi jerseys are by far the jersey of choice tonight. The man hasn’t played a single game for Inter Miami and his jersey is all over Red Bull Arena.
What a volley goal by Michael Murillo inside the box 5 yards from the goal, on the volley, he brilliantly places the ball in the upper 90 of the first post and now we have a 2 – 0 lead for Panama. Oh, and yes that goal was scored by a former New York Red Bull Left wing back in Red Bull Arena!!! #RBNY
Holy Batman what a save by Theo De Percin in the 72′ robbing a sure goal from Panama. Best save of the night hands down right there and keeps Martinique alive in the group stage.
Anibal Godoy is shown a yellow card in the 79′ for Panama after a foul near midfield. #EveryoneN
Panama is pouring on the offensive attack; they smell blood in the waters and wouldn’t mind dropping Martinique in the group standings for some breathing room. The seats are filling up fast now, as El Salvador’s fans take over Red Bull Arena for the next match of the night.
In the 88′ Michael Murillo goes down along the sideline, and the fans of Panama are getting louder as the final whistle approaches.
The fourth official indicates a minimum of 4′ will be added to the match. Martinique with a desperate attempt, the ball goes wide and into the bleachers in the 90’+1′.
The final minutes have been all Martinique, and they break through finally after multiple saves by Panama goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera. It’s now 2 – 1 with maybe a minute or so left to the match. Panama’s coach goes ballistic on the sideline demanding the final whistle and he gets his wish for the center referee.
Photo Credit: Concacaf.com
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