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Country: Panama
Official website: www.fepafut.com
Nickname(s): Los Canaleros, La Marea Roja
Manager: Julio Dely Valdes (2010)
Gold Cup appearance(s): (5) 1993, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011
Best finish: Runner-up (2005)
Making its fourth consecutive and fifth overall appearance in the Gold Cup, Panama might not have the same football history as some of its Central American rivals. But La Marea Roja (Red Tide) has enjoyed much success in the region in recent years. The Panamanians reached the 2005 Gold Cup final, before losing to the host United States on penalty kicks. They also were eliminated by the Americans in the 2007 and 2009 quarterfinals. Coached by former Panama international Julio Dely Valdés, the team finished third (3-2-0) at the Copa Centroamericana (Gold Cup qualifying for Central America), overcoming El Salvador in penalty kicks, 5-4, after playing to a scoreless draw. Forwards Edwin Aguilar and Luis Renteria and midfielder Armando Cooper stood out at the Centroamerica.
