The United States will look to close out Group A on a high note when it takes on Panama in its final game.

The Americans entered the tournament as clear-cut favorites but have been far from their best through two matches. The opener against Honduras featured an American side that looked unprepared for the rigors of its rivals. Despite getting a 2-0 lead, the team was quick to let in the lone goal for Honduras before enduring a stressful finish to the match.

Stress was the best word for the ensuing game against Haiti, the supposed minnow of the group. Brad Guzan was the hero of the night, making a plethora of big saves as the U.S. held on for an unconvincing 1-0 win. Clint Dempsey was the hero, scoring his third goal.

The U.S. could have and should have scored more in the game, but at the same time the team should have conceded at least one goal given the way Haiti was having its way with the American defense.

The U.S. is still an unfinished product, and coach Jurgen Klinsmann has a great deal of soul searching to do in the final match of the group.

Panama sits second in the group with only two points, and the team needs some sort of result to hope for a third-place finish at worst. The team earned two draws from its openers against Haiti and Honduras. What did those ties have in common? Panama gave up a tying goal in the final 10 minutes of each game, a huge issue for a team that should have booked its spot in the knockout round by this point.

Instead the team will have to get a positive result (a win) from its toughest match.

Prediction:  A 1-1 draw.

Start Time: 9:30 p.m. EST

The game can be streamed live on Fox Soccer 2Go.

TagsSoccer, USA, Gold Cup