For the first time in the country's history, Canada will be participating in the Concacaf Nations League semifinals, which will take place in June in Las Vegas, Nevada. On Tuesday night, Canada learned that their opening match of that competition will be against Panama on June 15 at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT at Allegiant Stadium. The other semifinal will feature Concacaf heavyweights Mexico and the United States. A win against Panama would mean facing either of those two sides in the final on June 18, and a chance to lift the country's first men's silverware since the 2000 Gold Cup. Canada secured a spot in the Nations League semis, and the top spot in Group C, with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Honduras on Tuesday night at BMO Field in Toronto. Panama, meanwhile, was able to top group B with a narrow 1-0 victory over Costa Rica on the road. José Fajardo scored the lone goal in that match, ten minutes before being sent off.
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The Canadian team has had mixed results against Panama in recent years. They defeated them 4-1 at BMO Field during World Cup qualifying, but would later lose 1-0 on the road on the final matchday. Canada head coach John Herdman told reporters after the match that playing in the Nations League final is another good opportunity for the national team to test itself in pressure situations. That would especially be true if they reached the final in front of what will surely be a sizeable and hostile crowd, whether it is red, white and blue or green. With that in mind, he is hoping to see some Canada red in the crowd in Las Vegas, playing travel agent on Tuesday night as he implored Canadian fans to support the team in these historic matches. "I'm hoping some Canadians book some time off in June, and what a location and what a destination," Herdman said. "It'd be a hell of a ride for the fans if they turn up, and I think that's the next step for Canada." Hopefully, Canadian fans have stocked up on frequent flyer points, because this summer the men's national team will also compete in the Concacaf Gold Cup, kicking off on June 24. Canada will learn their group stage opponents for that competition on April 14 when Concacaf completes its Gold Cup draw.

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