Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe has urged the squad to harness the spirit of the underdog ahead of Thursday’s World Cup opener against Australia.
The World Cup debutants begin their Group B campaign against the co-hosts, who are 12 places above them in the FIFA rankings and will be backed by the majority of the 80,000 crowd at Sydney’s Stadium.
It will be only the second match between the nations but Ireland won 3-2 when they met back in 2021, thanks to a goal from Denise O’Sullivan, who has been declared fit for the fixture.
McCabe, who overcome her own injury scare a fortnight ago, said: “Yeah, it is something as a small nation, you kind of carry that (underdog) title I guess.
“We know we are debutants in the tournament, but we know what we want to do. We don’t want to just be happy to be here.
“We want to compete and give Australia, Canada and Nigeria the hardest games possible. That will start tomorrow night and it is exciting.
“We know what Australia have, they have quality all over the park but we also know what we can do.”
Head coach Vera Pauw referenced their slogan ‘outbelieve’ when looking ahead to playing Australia and insisted they would not buckle under pressure after coming through stern examinations with Sweden, Finland and Scotland to qualify for a first-ever major tournament.
“That word will end up in the dictionary because we outbelieve we can do something special here,” Pauw reiterated.
“That is how we ended up here because we outbelieve and we did something that nobody expected, but we are realistic.
“We are very realistic, otherwise you cannot succeed, but the key thing everybody will feel is we have no fear of failure.
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“We are a team who so far we did not collapse on the higher pressure, whether it was away in a record crowd with Sweden, away with a record crowd in Finland or at Hampden Park and in our stadium with record crowds.”
The Girls in Green only arrived in Sydney this week, but were greeted by floods of Irish fans, with a large community based Down Under.
Arsenal midfielder McCabe added: “It’s crazy to think we’re actually here. We landed only a short while ago in Sydney airport, greeted by a number of Irish fans, so it was really nice to see them there.
“They are our home away from home, I guess and to see the numbers who have travelled, the pictures online of people here in Sydney, is really special.
“I think the whole team feel that. Not just players but staff as well, the support we have from here and back home as well. No doubt we want to do the nation proud tomorrow night.”
Pauw revealed: “We knew there would be fans, but again it is so heart-warming every time the way the Irish are reacting on us. It is not just being there, it is way they are there.”
Meanwhile, Ireland have firmly put their friendly fiasco with Colombia behind them after 101-capped O’Sullivan was confirmed to be fit enough to face Australia.
North Carolina Courage captain O’Sullivan suffered a soft tissue and bone bruise injury during a warm-up match on Friday with the South Americans that was aborted after only 20 minutes due to it being an “overly physical” contest.
But Pauw confirmed: “Denise is fit, she will play.”
McCabe concluded: “For us now it is full focus on Australia. We knew Colombia would be physical but it will be the case in every single game.
“We’re Irish, we don’t shy away from physicality. It is ingrained in us.”
What the papers say
Leicester midfielder Harvey Barnes is looking increasingly likely to sign for Newcastle. Leicester have valued Barnes at around the £35-40million mark, according to the Daily Mail. The Premier League club could reportedly seal the deal with the 25-year-old in the coming days which may hasten Allan Saint-Maximin’s exit from St James’ Park as Saudi Pro League teams circle.
The Guardian says veteran Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has agreed to terms to join Ligue 1 club Marseille on a three-year deal. Chelsea and the French side now need to agree on a deal for the 34-year-old’s signature. Aubameyang only started in five Premier League games for the Blues last season.
Manchester City reportedly rejected a bid of over £20m from Saudi Pro League team Al-Ahli for Riyad Mahrez but the Saudi Arabian club are confident they will get their man. The Guardian reported the Premier League champions have asked for £30m for his services.
Luton are on the verge of signing 29-year-old midfielder Marvelous Nakamba from Aston Villa, the Telegraph writes. Meanwhile, the Liverpool Echo reports Liverpool could explore signing Portugal international Joao Palhinha from Fulham.
Social media round-upPlayers to watch
Harry Maguire: Chelsea are reportedly showing interest in signing the Manchester United defender after Wesley Fofana underwent knee surgery, 90 Min reports.
Connor Gallagher: Sky Sports says West Ham are keen on signing the exciting midfielder but Chelsea have put a hefty cost on the 23-year-old, asking for more than £40million.
England defender Lucy Bronze said the Lionesses are feeling “empowered” ahead of their World Cup opener after releasing a statement addressing the players’ ongoing row with the Football Association (FA) over bonus payments and other commercial concerns.
In a message from the team posted on social media by captain Millie Bright, the Lionesses said they were “disappointed that a resolution has still not been achieved” but would “pause discussions, with full intentions of revisiting them following the tournament”, which begins for England on Saturday against Haiti in Brisbane.
Bronze, speaking at England’s team hotel on Wednesday, was adamant that the decision to go public about the situation was motivated not just by personal financial benefits but wider principles, and maintained she is “one hundred per cent confident that we will not be distracted by this”.
Bronze said: “I think the players are feeling very empowered. I think it’s the first time as a player group we’ve actually ever sent the message out ourselves, that we’ve collectively done together and set our sights on. So I think in that respect it’s been a very empowered player group last night and this morning and these past few weeks.
“I feel like we felt it was important that we sent the message out, because there has been some talks (and) we want to show that we’re focused for the World Cup, that is our main focus.
“It’s super sad that we have these issues. I think that again, this was something that we spoke about as an England group. We’re not only doing this for ourselves, we’re doing it so that we can set a standard.”
The Lionesses join players from teams including France, Spain, Jamaica, Nigeria, Canada and co-hosts Australia who have in recent months expressed concerns over issues ranging from pay to personnel in their own federations and beyond.
Bronze continued: “It’s unfortunate that it has come before the World Cup, but at the same time, it’s because the World Cup gives us the big stage. It’s when people want to listen to us, it’s when things really matter.
“And that’s why so many teams now are coming out and speaking about it, because it’s the only moment that they get the stage or the opportunity to speak out, which is unfortunate.”
For the first time in a Women’s World Cup, players will be guaranteed performance-related remuneration directly from FIFA, with amounts increasing the deeper teams go in the tournament.
In addition, the Lionesses were also understood to be frustrated by a lack of clarity over what their cut from any commercial deals done by the FA linked to the team will be, as well as the restrictions around their personal sponsorships.
The PA news agency has contacted the FA for comment.
Bronze said the Lionesses benefit from a generally amiable relationship with the FA that leaves the squad feeling optimistic that they can reach an agreement without taking more dramatic steps, like threatening to boycott their Nations League fixtures, set to follow the World Cup in September.
She said: “I don’t think we made any threats as players, I think we’re quite well spoken. And we know how to kind of stand our ground – I can’t say the conversations ever got to be that heated.”
At the same time, Bronze suggested she and her team-mates deserved more, particularly after their victory at last summer’s Euros led to a paradigm shift for women and girls’ football in England, from a 173 per cent uptick in Women’s Super League attendance to a surge in participation at the grassroots level.
She added: “There’s constantly another level and another step you can take. Whether that’s commercially – or on or off the pitch. Whether that’s performance-based, it’s being rewarded for the things you have done.
“We are the European Champions. We have changed the game massively in England, so we want everything to fall in line. If we are going to do well on the pitch, then you would expect things to follow.”
Jodie Taylor made history by becoming the first female England player to score a hat-trick at a major tournament when she netted three goals against Scotland, on this day in 2017.
The Lionesses romped to a 6-0 victory in their opening game of Euro 2017, with Ellen White, Jordan Nobbs and Toni Duggan also amongst the goals as England made a fast start to the tournament in the Netherlands.
Taylor – then of Arsenal, who she rejoined last season – fired her country into a 2-0 lead inside 26 minutes in Utrecht before completing her historic feat with a brilliantly-taken lob just after the break.
“The hat-trick meant a lot to me,” said Taylor, then aged 31. “The last two years have been a tough ride. Just to be here fit and healthy is a huge achievement.
“I want to thank the medics for getting me in a good place and for (former England manager) Mark (Sampson) for still believing in me and having confidence in me because without that I wouldn’t be here.”
Taylor went on to finish as the competition’s top scorer with five goals and hit the winner as the Lionesses defeated France in the last eight.
Mark Sampson’s side were eventually knocked out by hosts and tournament winners the Netherlands, a team then managed by current England boss Sarina Wiegman.
Speaking after Taylor’s treble, boss Sampson said: “Ever since we’ve known Jodie, I think everyone has known she is a world-class player.
“Of course, you need the service, but what Jodie has added to her game in the last 12 months in particular is her ability to be an instinctive finisher.”
Michael Beale hopes he is closing in on another two additions to his Rangers squad.
The Gers boss, who has signed seven new faces this summer, was speaking after the Light Blues went down 2-1 to Newcastle in Allan McGregor’s testimonial at Ibrox.
The visitors took the lead in the 16th minute through Miguel Almiron, but in the 64th minute Dutch attacker Sam Lammers levelled for the home side with an Ibrox debut goal.
However, with three minutes remaining, Scotland Under-21 defender Ashby headed over McGregor’s replacement, home debutant Jack Butland, for the winner.
Beale was asked about Feyenoord’s Brazilian attacker Danilo and Ecuadorian midfielder Jose Cifuentes from Los Angeles FC after the game.
He said: “Danilo is a player that we like, I think a lot of people like.
“He’s not the only forward we are talking to, but he’s the one that’s out there.
“Cifuentes is again a player we like and we hope that’s one that can be moved on.
“I think we need to bring in one more midfielder. He’s powerful, he works the corridor, he can play deep or he can play as an eight.”
Asked if he hoped players would be in before their first league game against Kilmarnock on August 5, Beale said: “Yes, definitely.
“You can see we did a lot of our work early. The boys have only been back two weeks and tonight was our first game in front of the public.
“I won’t put a number on how many will come in, the market is moving quite quickly.
“We have real set targets and we’ve managed to get some done. I am really pleased with the work we have done.
“We will see some outs in the coming days as well. We are ahead of schedule.”.
On that note Beale was also asked about midfielder Glen Kamara, who has been linked with Leeds.
He said: “There have been quite a few enquiries for Glen. We gave him an extended break due to his international stuff in the summer and unfortunately he has been ill for the last few days.
“He didn’t come to Germany with us, but he’s due to return to training in the coming days. That will be ongoing, the speculation.”
On Scott Wright, linked with a move to Turkey, the former QPR boss said: “Scotty this summer has had one or two enquiries. He’s at an age where he wants to go and play regularly.
“I can’t guarantee that – he’ll have to fight for his minutes like everyone else here.
“I’m not willing to guarantee anyone that they’re going to play and I think he’s at an age where he’s good enough to play and he probably feels that he’s spent a lot of time here trying to get into the team.
“We’re off on Wednesday which gives him a chance to speak to one or two people and maybe make some decisions for himself. But there’s nothing guaranteed on that one.”
Eddie Howe confirmed Allan Saint-Maximin is “in discussion regarding a move to another club” following Newcastle United’s 2-1 win over Rangers at Ibrox.
The forward was missing from the squad which travelled to Glasgow amid speculation he could leave the club this summer.
There as speculation that the 26-year-old Frenchman, who joined the Magpies in a £16million move from Nice in August 2019, is a target for a Saudi Pro League club with some reports naming Al-Ahli as potential buyers.
Manager Howe said: “Allan is in discussions regarding a move to another club.
“Nothing is confirmed, nothing is done at these stages but that’s why he wasn’t here today.
“With financial fair play you sort of have to trade otherwise, for us this summer we would be stuck in a position where we couldn’t recruit players the other way. That’s how financial fair play works.
“Maxi is a top player. We definitely don’t want to lose him, we want to strengthen the group but sometimes these things happen and we have to accept that.
“It is early to speak of Maxi in the past tense at Newcastle, certainly our respect and love for him is the same as the supporters.
“They love him and we love him and certainly if he does go it will be a difficult moment for all of us.
“There is no immediate plans for him to join us tomorrow but we will wait and see. He could end up with us again and if that is the case we would love to have him back.”
The visitors took the lead in Allan McGregor’s testimonial in the 16th minute when Elliot Anderson slipped in Miguel Almiron who steered the ball low past the 41-year-old keeper.
In the 64th minute Dutch attacker Sam Lammers, signed from Italian side Atalanta, intercepted a slack pass from goalkeeper Karl Darlow to his fellow Toon substitute Bruno Guimaraes before moving in to beat the keeper but with three minutes remaining Scotland Under-21 defender Harrison Ashby leapt to head a cross from Alexander Isak over McGregor’s replacement Jack Butland for the winner.
Howe, who revealed Joelinton was not involved as he had complications with his visa for the impending trip to America although he is expected to join up later, was “very impressed” with the debut of his new signing from AC Milan, midfielder Sandro Tonali.
He said: “He brought everything I thought he would bring in that first 45 minutes.
“Calm, composed, technically high level, good relationships with the players around him.
“He looked at home in a black and white shirt so it was a great start for him.”
Martin Odegaard says Arsenal must use the pain of last season’s near-miss to fuel a renewed push for the Premier League title.
The north Londoners enjoyed a campaign to remember under Mikel Arteta, only for perennial champions Manchester City to pip them to top spot at the death.
It was a galling end to a promising season for Arsenal, whose captain Odegaard says the ultimate disappointment will spur them on as they look to topple Pep Guardiola’s men.
“We have to use it,” he said. “The end of the season was tough for us and very painful after leading for so long.
“That is always going to hurt but we have to use it in a good way to come back stronger and be even more motivated and even hungrier.
“That’s what we did last year after we missed the Champions League the year before. We came back stronger and that’s what we’re going to try to do.”
Asked if it was hard to erase last season, Odegaard said: “It was difficult to be honest. We were very close and had the big dream and goal to win something.
“To be so close to doing it with this team is always going to hurt but you have to deal with it in a good way and move on and that’s what we’re going to do as a team. That is the only way.”
Arsenal have not wallowed in self-pity since falling short in the title race.
Instead, they have gone on an eye-catching spending spree bringing in Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and £105million Declan Rice.
“Every time I played against him I saw the quality,” Odegaard said of the former West Ham skipper.
“He’s a leader as well so it’s great for me to work together and hopefully we can help each other a lot.
“Every time I played him it was a tough one. We had some tough battles so I’m happy to have him on the team and hopefully we can find a good connection very quickly.
“I think his presence in the game (stands out). He’s good on the ball, he can take it forward and physically he’s very strong.
“He’s good in many areas, is physical and is a leader so a lot of areas.”
Make that three former high-profile FC Barcelona players now on Inter Miami.
The MLS club will sign veteran defender Jordi Alba, reuniting him with Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets.
Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas announced the move Tuesday, while also confirming Messi and Busquets will make their team debuts on Friday against Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup.
"He will debut on Friday," Mas said of Messi. "How much, when, what he does, that’s up to him and (coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino)."
Messi and Busquets both participated in their first practice with Miami on Tuesday, three days after Messi officially signed a 2 1/2-year contract that will be worth between $50-60million per year.
Messi, who turned 36 years old last month, revealed on June 7 that he would be joining Miami after 11 years with Barca.
Inter Miami announced the addition of Busquets a few weeks later and then disclosed in late June that Martino, who coached Barcelona in 2013-14, would be the club's new head coach.
The 34-year-old Alba joined Barca in 2012, and helped the club to six La Liga titles, five Copa del Rey trophies and the Champions League in 2015.
In 458 appearances for Barcelona, he registered 19 goals and 91 assists.
He'll continue his career with an Inter Miami team that is in last place in the Eastern Conference and mired in an 11-match winless streak since its last victory on May 13.
Marcus Rashford has signed a new five-year contract at Manchester United.
The 25-year-old forward came through the Old Trafford youth set-up and has gone on to score 123 goals in 359 first-team appearances.
He said: “I joined Manchester United as a seven-year-old boy with a dream. That same passion, pride and determination to succeed still drives me every time I have the honour of wearing the shirt.
“I’ve already had some amazing experiences at this incredible club, but there is still a lot more to achieve and I remain relentlessly determined to win more trophies in the years ahead.
“As a United fan all my life, I know the responsibility that comes with representing this badge and feel the highs and lows as much as anyone.
“I can assure you that I will give everything to help the team reach the level we are capable of and I can feel the same determination around the dressing room.
“I couldn’t be more excited for the future under this manager.”
The England international broke the 30-goal barrier for the first time in his United career last season under Erik ten Hag and his current deal was due to expire next summer.
The news comes on the same day that United agreed a deal to sign goalkeeper Andre Onana from Inter Milan, while defender Jonny Evans has rejoined the club on a short-term contract.
Manchester United football director John Murtough said of Rashford’s deal, which expires on June 30, 2028: “Ever since he joined our academy 18 years ago, Marcus has epitomised what it takes to succeed as a Manchester United player.
“He is a brilliant talent but also humble, dedicated and driven.
“As he enters his prime years, we know there is still so much more to come from him and we can see the hunger that Marcus feels to achieve the highest levels of success here at Manchester United.
“Working with Erik ten Hag and his coaches is the perfect environment for Marcus to continue to develop into one of the best attacking players in the world.”
Everton winger Demarai Gray was the only Reggae Boy selected to the Concacaf Gold Cup Best XI unveiled on Monday.
The 27-year-old made the most in his first five matches with Jamaica, scoring two goals and chipping in with two assists while completing 86 percent of his passes. Jamaica lost to eventual champions, Mexico, at the semi-final stage.
The full team of the tournament is as follows: GK Guillermo Ochoa (MEX), DF Fidel Escobar (PAN), DF Johan Vasquez (MEX), DF Jorge Sanchez (MEX), MF Luis Chavez (MEX), MF Adalberto Carrasquilla (PAN), MF Orbelin Pineda (MEX), MF Edgar Barcenas (PAN), MF Demarai Gray (JAM), FW Jesus Ferreira (USA), FW Ismael Diaz (PAN)
Brighton have rejected a second bid from Chelsea for star midfielder Moises Caicedo.
The Blues’ latest offer for the Ecuador international is believed to be around £70million.
Caicedo requested to leave Albion in January amid interest from Arsenal but in March signed a new contract until 2027.
The 21-year-old, who last season helped the Seagulls qualify for Europe for the first time and reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup, remains of interest to a number of Premier League rivals.
Caicedo joined Brighton from Ecuadorian club Independiente del Valle for a reported £4.5m in February 2021 before being loaned to Belgian side Beerschot.
He made his top-flight debut in April 2022 and has played 53 times during his time at the Amex Stadium, scoring two goals.
Chelsea and Brighton are scheduled to meet on Saturday in Philadelphia in a six-team Premier League pre-season tournament.
New Blues manager Mauricio Pochettino is in the process of overhauling his squad following the club’s worst season in almost 30 years.
Forwards Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson have already arrived at Stamford Bridge this summer, while Mason Mount, Kai Havertz and Mateo Kovacic are among a host of departures.
Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana has undergone reconstructive surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament.
The 22-year-old centre-back begins his rehabilitation at the Blues’ Cobham training ground while the squad travel to the United States on a pre-season trip.
Fofana, who joined the Londoners from Leicester in 2022 for £75million, featured just 15 times for Chelsea in the Premier League last season as he suffered a number of injury setbacks.
This latest problem comes two years after the Frenchman broke his leg in a pre-season friendly for Leicester against Villareal which saw him miss a large part of the 2021-22 campaign.
Thiago Silva, Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill, Alfie Gilchrist and Bashir Humphreys are the remaining centre-back options at Mauricio Pochettino’s disposal in the US as he prepares for Thursday’s opening pre-season clash against Wrexham.
Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana is set to join Manchester United after a deal was struck with both player and club, the PA news agency understands.
The 27-year-old shot-stopper has been top of Erik ten Hag’s wish list this summer as United replace long-serving David De Gea.
United have now reached an agreement with Serie A side Inter to sign Onana for an initial 51m euros (£43.8m) with a potential further 4m euros (£3.4m) in add-ons.
Personal terms are also understood to have been agreed with the goalkeeper, who is set to sign a five-year deal with the option of a further season.
A medical is imminent but it remains to be seen whether the respective paperwork will be completed in time for Onana to be on Wednesday’s flight to the United States for their pre-season tour.
The Cameroon international will become United’s second signing of the summer after bringing in Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount earlier in the month for an initial £55m.
The goalkeeper should slot seamlessly into Ten Hag’s system thanks to his ability and confidence on the ball, which he used to great effect at Inter and prior to that under the Dutchman at Ajax.
A new goalkeeper had not initially been a key priority for the United boss this summer, but towards the end of the campaign it was decided to pursue a new number one.
Onana is now set to succeed De Gea after his recent departure on a free transfer, while speculation continues over the future of Dean Henderson and Tom Heaton.
Sportsmax.tv continues its build-up towards the FIFA Women's World Cup with some insight on Panama's team to the July 20 to August 20 global showpiece in Australia and New Zealand.
Written by José Miguel Domínguez Flores
Overview
Panama’s journey to their first World Cup appearance began at the 2018 Concacaf Championships, where a defeat to Jamaica on penalties in the third-place playoff meant they missed out on qualification for France 2019. That tournament, though, was a watershed for players such as Lineth Cedeño, Karla Riley, Hilary Jaén, Yenith Bailey, Marta Cox and Wendy Natis, who have played a key role in getting Panama to the big show this time around.
The road was not easy, and Panama were forced into the intercontinental playoffs in February this year. Papua New Guinea were seen off 2-0 in the semi-finals before a meeting with Paraguay in the final. Cedeño’s 75th-minute header was enough for a 1-0 win and a history-making qualification. "We will prepare 10 times better because we will face the best in the world,” said the manager Nacho Quintana, who took over in 2021. “We will measure ourselves against Brazil and France and this should keep us even more motivated."
Apart from leading the Panama to their first Women’s World Cup, Quintana has also fought for equal opportunities and salaries between the men's and women's teams. He likes to play a 5-4-1 formation and says the World Cup “is the beginning of the real project we have”.
The tournament will be a learning experience for the squad. Results in the warm-up matches have not been great and included a 7-0 defeat against Spain, so there is little chance of the side qualifying from the group stage. However, in a World Cup there are always teams that surprise, and Panama could be one of them.
The coach
Before joining Panama, Ignacio “Nacho” Quintana was a technical assistant for the Nicaragua women’s team and coached at teams such as Reforma Athletic Club and Lioness FC. Born in Mexico City, Quintana says he retired from playing at the age of 18 and immediately turned his attentions to coaching, though he also studied gastronomy before turning to football full-time, and eventually earned the A-license as a technical director. Says he wants his team to play with a smile during the tournament. “We can't lose that happiness,” he told fifa.com. “That's always our No 1 rule because that happiness which runs through the country, which you get a sense of in every street when you're in Panama, is something we need to convey out on the pitch so that the people of Panama feel we're representing them properly.”
Star player
Marta Cox is the star of the team. The midfielder was introduced to football by her aunt Raiza Gutierrez, who was captain of the national team in the late 1990s and made her debut for Panama’s under-20 team aged just 14. She has gone on to win the league title with Chorrillo FC and CD Universitario and became the first Panamanian player to win the Costa Rica women's league when with Alajuelense. In 2021 she became the first Panamanian to play in the Mexican Women's MX League with Club León and in 2022 the first Panamanian to play for Pachuca Femenil, where she shares a dressing room with elite players such as Spain’s Jenni Hermoso. Cox is an idol for girls from poor neighborhoods who see in her an inspiration that it is possible to travel the world and play football regardless of social class.
Rising star
A move to Europe in the near future is not out of the question for 18-year-old Deysiré Salazar. The player from Colón has excelled for the national side since making her debut in 2020 and is already a league champion with her club side Tauro. She could go on to be one of the most important players in Panamanian football history and is on the radar of clubs in the US.
Did you know?
Forward Karla Riley – nicknamed “the Empress of Goal” – wears different coloured boots while playing in support of children with Down’s syndrome.
Standing of women's football in Panama
Panamanian women's football has had many changes, some negative and others very positive, but today there are infant and youth leagues and there are more and more academies and teams dedicated to women's football. The semi-professional Women's Football League (LFF), founded in 2017, seeks to provide a base for the players, but faces challenges such as lack of broadcasting. Furthermore, the fact that there is only one tournament a year, in contrast to the two tournaments in men's football, limits the development of the 398 registered players.
Realistic goal
The main aim is to leave a plant a seed, either as a group or individually, for future World Cups. The Panamanian Soccer Federation president Manuel Arias has highlighted the potential for inspiring the next generation of players. “I want Panamanian football to have professional contracts, for the players to be high-performance athletes and to make a living from soccer like the European players," said Marta Cox.
Sportsmax.tv continues its build-up towards the FIFA Women's World Cup with some insight on Panama's team to the global showpiece in Australia and New Zealand.
Written by Roberto Rivera for Datitos TV
Name: Farissa Córdoba
Position: Goalkeeper
Date of birth 30 June 1989
Club: Ñañas Club, Ecuador
The goalkeeper was one of the last called up to the squad – edging out Stephani Vargas as the likely third choice – and something of a surprise as she wasn’t part of the play-offs squad in February, or the friendlies in mid-June. However, she does have experience within the national setup, having played in the 2018 Concacaf Championship and the World Cup qualifiers that finished a year ago. Graduated from Panama’s metropolitan university of science and technology in electrical engineering and also from the technology university of Panama in mechanical engineering, so it is no surprise to hear her nickname is “the engineer”. She has also played in Guatemala, Costa Rica and, more recently, Maccabi Holon in Israel. When Panama qualified for the World Cup she wrote: “I applaud my colleagues who fulfilled the dreams of past generations.” She can now live that dream in New Zealand and Australia.
Name: Yenith Bailey
Date of birth: 29 March 2001
Position: Goalkeeper
Team: Tauro Panama
Profile: She played as a midfielder until 2017 when Víctor Suárez, the current head of youth football in Panama, persuaded her to start playing in goal and she hasn’t looked back. In the Concacaf W Championship of 2018 she won the Golden Glove – age 17 – for best goalkeeper of the tournament with 24 saves, including a string of stops against the United States. None other than the US great Hope Solo singled her out for praise that summer, saying she hoped Panama would reach the 2019 World Cup because Bailey deserved to be there. It didn’t happen then, but she will be there in Australia and New Zealand. “That tournament made me realise I could be a professional,” Bailey said. She has had stints in Colombia and Paraguay, where she played in the Copa Libertadores. Her brother José Gonzales has played professionally. A favourite of the fans for her whole-hearted efforts.
Name: Sasha Fábrega
Position: Goalkeeper
Date of birth: October 23, 1990
Team: CA Independiente, Panama
Decided to finish her studies before dedicating herself totally to football and she graduated as a physiotherapist, something that naturally helps her in her current profession. Her Instagram feed is full of punishing workouts as she gets ready for the World Cup. Fábrega, who made her national team debut in January 2020 against the USA, was at Tauro in Panama but a lot of competition meant she moved to look for more first-team football at CAI, one of the best clubs in her country. And she doesn’t need to look any further than home for her biggest supporters. “My parents are the most important people in my life. They guide me to be better every day, their support is unconditional, and they encourage me to pursue my goals and dreams. They make me feel loved and greatly valued."
Name Katherine Castillo
Date of birth: 23 March 1996
Position: Defender
Team: Tauro
One of the few in the Panama team to have played in Argentina, an experience that helped her improve a lot in her position as a full-back. She can get forward and adds an attacking threat in the air in the opposition’s penalty box. She is one of the manager’s most reliable players and gives peace of mind to her fellow defenders, having made her debut in the senior team in 2018. She attributes her success in football to several things, including a four-legged pet. “The important people in my life are God, who always gives me the strength and desire to move forward, and, above all, my partner, who has been encouraging me at every moment since day one. And I also want to mention my little dog, which is the most precious thing I have, and my family."
Name: Rosario Vargas
Defender
Date of birth 9 August 2002
Team: Rayo Vallecano Spain
One of the youngest in the squad but with an interesting career already, having played in youth teams in Madrid and Valencia. She also had a spell in Costa Rica in the 2017-18 season, although she now plays for Rayo Vallecano, another Madrid-based team. At national level, she was in the squad for the Under-20 Concacaf Women’s Championship, where Panama was knocked out in the quarterfinals by Canada. But by then she had already attracted the attention of the senior team and she made her debut in Tokyo in a friendly against Japan in April 2021 (sadly a 7-0 defeat). For her the World Cup will be an incredible experience. She said: “I'm psyched up for New Zealand. From everything that happens in life we must learn to get the positive and make ourselves stronger and continue to grow.”
Name: Hilary Jaén
Position: Defender
Date of birth August 29, 2002
Club: Tauro
From a family of Panamanian singers, Hilary instead put her efforts into football – playing on concrete pitches with her cousins – and she quickly showed she was a precocious talent, being the only girl in a team when she was seven years old. “That was a good experience,” she says, “because you achieve more. I had to raise the intensity of my game.” She began to represent her country and moved through the various youth levels before making her debut for the senior team in 2018 in their last World Cup qualifier. She studied business administration and has already gone through the university leagues in the USA, playing for South Alabama Jaguars and Jones County Bobcats, although she is now with Tauro in her home country. “Studying is a very important part of my life because I want to show that you can study and play at the same time."
Name: Yomira Pinzón
Position: Defender
Date of birth 23 August 1996
Team: Saprissa, Costa Rica
Has been playing in Costa Rica for two years now, the centre-back nicknamed Yomi first foray abroad was in Spain with Pozoalbense. She then returned home and won two league titles with Atlético Nacional. She made her debut for the senior team at the age of 21 in 2017 and is a regular under the current coach Nacho Quintana. Reaching the World Cup, she says, was “a really big happiness and emotion. This was a dream for me and my teammates.” And her family are incredibly important to her: “My parents are always there and will always support me, like my sisters, they are the most important people in my life. And my brother: he is very special to me: I play football for him. I want to dedicate the qualification for the World Cup to him.”
Name Carina Baltrip-Reyes
Position: Defender
Date of birth: 1 July 1998
Club: Maritimo, Portugal
She started playing football at the age of three when her father gave her her first boots and from there, she never looked back. The defender who can play anywhere across the back currently plays for Maritimo, on the Portuguese island of Madeira. But her career in Europe started in the Serbian league with Spartak Subotica, where she stayed for four months, gaining Champions League experience, but she left in December 2021, moving on to Houston Dash in Texas. She played her first match with the national team in October 2021 against Trinidad and Tobago. Full of energy, she can make powerful runs from her own area all the way up either flank. Born in Austin, Texas to a Panamanian father and American mother, she studied in Florida, where she graduated in biology and then received a master's degree in sports administration.
Rebeca Espinosa
Date of birth 5 July 1992
Position: Defender
Team: Sporting San Miguelito, Panama
Her sister Marjorie was the person in her family who taught her, age 11, to play in her home province of Chiriquí, but she never forgets her late brother, Riquelme. “He is my reason to fight for my dreams,” she says. Today her husband is the support: “Ever since I’ve known him, he has always backed me unconditionally and has understood what this beautiful sport means to me.” She played in Paraguay, for Club Sol de América, where she ended up facing her compatriot, Yenith Bailey, in a decisive league game - “it was beautiful,” says Espinosa. She made her debut with the national team in October 2018 in a World Cup qualifier against Canada but was on the losing side. Now, facing up to finally playing in the tournament, she looks back on how far the team has come. “These are the second chances we get in life,” she says. She is one of Nacho Quintana’s most important players and was part of the back five in the historic playoff win against Paraguay in February.
Name: Nicole de Obaldía
Position: Defender
Date of Birth: 16 March 2000
Team: Herediano, Costa Rica
Well-known in her country, not only for her football but also because of her presence on social networks and, because of her high profile, being sponsored by big brands. She joined Chorrillo FC in Panama City where she matured as a player and then moved to Tauro, the biggest team in women's football in Panama. She won the league and then joined Plaza Amador, Tauro's arch-rival, for a season before going to play in Costa Rica, where she has also won the league. At national level, she has worked her way up through all the youth categories and made her senior team debut on 21 September 2021. Pinki, as she is known by her friends, is working her way to qualify as a football coach and she has a very clear message: “I tell all the girls, don't give up on your sports dreams and never stop studying.”
Name Wendy Natis
Position: Defender
Date of birth: 19 August 2002
Team: América de Cali, Colombia
Grew up playing volleyball, basketball and wrestling but only took up football when she was 16. Still, despite her age and relative lack of experience, she is already one of the most important players in the team. She was in the Under-20 Concacaf Women’s Championship team in 2022 that reached the quarterfinals. She had made her senior debut by then already, in February 2021. She was back playing for the seniors in the 2022 Concacaf W Championship that served as a qualifying tournament for this World Cup. When it came to the play-offs earlier this year, she was a rock at the back, playing both games, as Panama did not concede a goal. Nicknamed the Wall, she has been vital for her club as well, becoming the first Panamanian to win the Colombian women’s league. “Respecting my teammates with whom I lived and respecting the rules of the club made it easier for me to adapt in Colombia,” she says.
Name: Marta Cox
Date of birth: 20 July 1997
Team: Pachuca Mexico
Position: Midfielder
Profile: From a neighbourhood in Panama City called Chorrillo, Cox is the captain and the respected leader of the Canalera and that is why at almost 26 she already has more than 50 caps. She has played in Colombia and Costa Rica and became the first foreigner to play for Pachuca when she signed two years ago. From midfield she pairs her playmaking with an eye for goal – scoring a spectacular bicycle kick in the 2-0 playoff semi-final win against Papua New Guinea in February – and is not afraid to shoot from distance with her powerful left foot. She says: “I realised since I was very young that I could be a footballer, even if not a pro. But I never stopped pushing my sporting boundaries and I think that is what has made me who I am today.” She has set her sights on even greater things at club level. “I want to be among the best and play in an even more professional league. Then I can prepare myself for university and have my own business.”
Name: Carmen Montenegro
Position: Midfielder
Date of birth: 5 December 2000
Team: Sporting San Miguelito
A very skilful young player who was part of the group that won the play-off final in February despite her limited international experience. Yet she was on the outside looking in a year ago, a ready deputy in case of an emergency. That was a time when she put in a lot of effort, waiting for her chance. That came when Nacho Quintana tried her out in midfield and it was a revelation, as she had been a striker up to then. “I feel really good in this position,” she says. “And I’ve improved physically as well as technically.” She took up the game when she was 12 but preferred baseball when growing up. She studies physical education and wants to work in sport when she stops playing. Her middle name is Milagro, which means miracle.
Name Schiandra González
Date of birth 4 July 1995
Position: Midfielder
Team: Tauro
Started out on the right-wing but under the national coach Nacho Quintana she moved centrally and deeper to play as more of a midfield ball-winner. She has a long history with her national team, playing in the 2012 Concacaf Under-17 Championship, and making her debut with the seniors in March 2018 against Trinidad and Tobago. Playing for her country is something she never takes for granted. “It is very big what I am living. It is a dream that I never imagined would touch me. I want to fulfill it with all my might, for myself and for the whole country. I really like the group; it is very happy and focused at the same time.” Born in the western province of Chiriquí although raised in Panama City,she calls her dogs “her daughters”. They play a big part in her Instagram feed, including giving them ice lollies.
Name: Emily Cedeño
Position: Midfield
Date of birth: 22 November 2003
Team: Plaza Amador, Panama
She took up the game when she was three and a few years later began to play futsal and by the age of 14 was playing for Panama’s Under-15s. Her parents supported her all the way, telling her to strive hard if she wanted to succeed. “The dream I had when I was a little girl playing with friends in the street, I’m able to say I’ve achieved it now,” she says. “I hope I can be an example to all those young boys and girls.” She did not feature in the qualifiers in the summer of 2022 but was then called up for all the mini training camps in the buildup to the play-offs in New Zealand in February. She made her debut with the senior team in a friendly in October 2022. And now: “I’m going to play in Panama’s first World Cup – it is something that I could not believe.”
Name: Aldrith Quintero
Position: Midfielder
Date of birth: 1 January 2002
Team: Alhama FC, Spain
Quintero earned a place in this team, as she puts it, for her daily work and her improvement since she moved to Europe, first playing for Tenerife and now with Alhama FC in Murcia. She is the first woman from her country to play in Spain’s first division. Her father and brother played in a team called Tierra Firme in the lower leagues in Panama. Her mother Laura Marie was her motivation and the person who took her to all the training sessions as a child. First though, athletics was her main sport, especially long jump, but she complained to her mother about doing it. Her mother once told young Aldrith that she didn’t know how to play football but changed her mind after watching the girl play. Something of a prodigy, she made her debut in the national team in December 2017, one month shy of her 16th birthday. She said reaching the World Cup “was her dream come true as a girl”.
Name: Deysiré Salazar
Position: Midfielder
Date of birth: 4 May 2004
Team: Tauro
She is one of the youngest and smallest in the national team but with a giant heart. Born in Rio Alejandro in the province of Colón, where José Fajardo, a striker for the men’s national team, also comes from. She started playing at the age of six and soon her love for football was noticeable. Her mother Amayansi said that she had to look for her because she only spent her time out on the pitch, although she never neglected her studies. She currently plays for Tauro and at only 17 was the best player in the championship, while she has also been captain of the Under-20 team. For her, football is freedom. “When I play football I feel like a fish in water, I am free, I forget about all the problems. I am happy. And at that time, it was already clear to me what it meant to play for the national team. It is a source of pride and a great responsibility.”
Name Laurie Batista
Position: Midfielder
Date of birth 29 May 1996
Club: Taurus
Her nickname is GPS, which tells you a lot about the captain of Tauro, the biggest team in the country. She is one of the most complete players in Panamanian football and has played for the national team at every age level. Although the defensive midfielder did not make the squad for the play-offs, she has been recalled since qualification and is one of the players to watch. She admits not being involved earlier this year was the lowest she has felt in her career. She said: “It was difficult not going to the play-offs, but it was a joy to see that my teammates qualified. I’m now happy for the call from the coach and I have to work to earn a place.” Her reason for getting into the sport? “My brothers, from a very young age. My family is very proud of me for achieving my dreams.”
Name: Riley Tanner
Position: Forward
Date of birth: 15 October 1999
Club: Washington Spirit
Profile:
Fast and with great ball control, Tanner scored the second goal in Panama’s 2-0 semi-final playoff win against Papua New Guinea as they sought to qualify for their first World Cup. Her nickname is Frozen because of her resemblance to Elsa, from the film. Born in the United States but qualifies as her mother was born in Panama, she studied and played in her native Michigan and currently plays in the US professional league. She graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in public health. She realised she had made instant new friends when she was in her first training camp with Panama in January as she found out she had been picked in the draft by Spirit. She says: “That moment was when my dreams became reality. I took the draft call in the bathroom and when I came out everyone dogpiled me. Being new to the Panama team, just having that support from them was really special and made me feel like I was a part of their team.”
Name: Lineth Cedeño
Date of birth: 5 December 2000
Position: Forward
Team: Sporting San Miguelito, Panama
Profile
Wrote her name in her country’s football history for her play-off final goal against Paraguay in February. It was the only goal of the match and one that put Panama in the Women’s World Cup for the first time. At the age of 22, she has more than 40 caps and has broadened her horizons by playing in Spain and then two years in Italy, for Verona and Sampdoria. Her time with Samp did not go so well, ending eight months early and without a goal or an assist. Affectionately known as “the stick” because of her thin build, she is a penalty-box predator, although due to her speed she can also play on the wings. Always has a smile on her face. Was left out of the squad for the two friendlies in the second half of June as Nacho Quintana decided to look at a few other contenders for the World Cup squad.
Name: Erika Hernández
Date of birth: 17 March 1999
Position: Forward
Team: Plaza Amador
Profile
When Yomira Pinzón was asked how she would cope for a whole month in February, away from home, for the play-offs, she replied: “We have Erika.” Her Panama teammates call her Siri because of the amount she talks and is known as the most upbeat and lively member of the squad. She has played in Argentina, at the Buenos Aires club Uai Urquiza, which she says helped her development. On the pitch she can drop a bit deeper to get involved in the play but she is at her most effective in the box. In addition to playing football, she is studying to be a physical education teacher. She loves social media and has gone viral more than once with her dancing. Sponsors also love her to give talks because of her ease when it comes to communicating.
Name Natalia Mills
Position: Forward
Date of birth: 22 March 1993
Ld Alajuelense, Costa Rica
La Capi, as Natalia is called, is the veteran of the team who has come out of retirement, having hung up her boots for the national team in 2019 when they did not qualify for the France World Cup. She played in all the youth categories of the Panama national team before making her debut for the senior team aged 20. Her mother has provided her with all the support she has ever needed. She says: “Ask me about an important person in my life I have to mention my mother, Beatriz Urnaga. She is everything to me. She is the one who has always been with me at all times, in good times and bad. She always supports me unconditionally, without judging me.” When she does finally retire, she wants to stay in the game and help find new talent so that women's football in Panama continues to grow.
Name Karla Riley
Position: forward
Date of birth 18 September 1997
Team: Sporting FC, Costa Rica
Her attributes have earned her the nickname “the empress of goal” and she has taken her talents around the world. She went to Pozoalbense in Spain, has played for Tauro in her home country and, in 2022, Cruz Azul in Mexico. She made her debut for the senior team in February 2017 and has more than 30 caps. She believes the team has made the most of their time since they qualified. “We have five months of preparation that we did not have before. Those who play in Panama have worked like never before and have got stronger thanks to the training camps.” She has lent her support to all women in football around the world. A post on Instagram had her voice coming from an empty chair, saying: “Does it surprise you not to see me? This is how thousands of players around the world feel. We need you to see us, respect us and support us more than ever. This is our real fight.”
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