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This is merely the mid-point of the group stage of the 2018 CONCACAF Men’s U-20 Championship, but the third round of matches has already looked to have settled Groups A, C, and E - with the USA, Honduras, and Costa Rica besting their closest rivals for the top spot in their respective groups.
This match has similar significance for Group D. Panama is the top seed and presumptive favorite to win the group. Canada is the second seed and, like Panama, has opened the tournament with back-to-back wins. A draw between these two sides would make the remaining matches in this group interesting - triggering a battle to accumulate the best goal difference over the last two rounds of the group stage. But a positive result will anoint a clear favorite to advance to the next round.