Few details of the U.S. soccer team's return to Philadelphia were lost in translation at Lincoln Financial Field yesterday.

With the United States being joined by Canada, Panama and Honduras for the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals, to be played Saturday on the Eagles' home turf, dialogue at an introductory news conference was translated from English to Spanish and back again, accommodating international coaches and media.

When the Americans face Panama at 8 p.m., it will mark the U.S. team's second international men's soccer match in Philadelphia, and its first in more than 40 years.

The other U.S. international match played in Philadelphia was a 4-0 loss to Israel on Sept. 25, 1968.

"As a soccer city, you've got great history in Philadelphia," said U.S. head coach Bob Bradley. "It's a great sports city, and it's a great soccer city."

The mood of the news conference was relaxed and at times lighthearted, as coaches took a brief moment to enjoy their progress while peeking ahead at Saturday's matches.

Reynaldo Rueda, Honduras' coach, was asked what new strategies he planned to try against Canada in Saturday's first quarterfinal at 5 p.m. Stephen Hart, Canada's coach, gently put his hand on Rueda's shoulder and suggested, "No goalkeeper."

Panama coach Gary Stempel was asked if he had altered his game plan in an effort to earn his team's first Gold Cup victory over the U.S. team, the two-time defending champions. Stempel smiled and said, "Hopefully I have, because obviously we would like to win."

The United States is 3-0 in Gold Cup matches against Panama, most recently winning a 2-1 decision in the 2007 semifinals. The Gold Cup is the championship of North and Central America and the Caribbean.

The Americans advanced to these quarterfinals by winning Group B, finishing one point ahead of Honduras. Panama finished third in Group C, behind Mexico and Guadeloupe.

Because the Americans played in the Confederations Cup in June, the U.S. squad is resting most of its first team during the Gold Cup tournament. Bradley said the team's focus and goals, however, have not changed.

"Our preparation is the same," Bradley said. "We have a great amount of respect for Panama . . . and we try to have the same approach whenever we get together as a national team. We take the Gold Cup very seriously. We're defending champs."

Bradley, a native of Montclair, N.J., also spoke about what he expected from Saturday's fans, in a city with a professional soccer club, the Union, still in its infancy.

"I think it'll be diverse crowd," Bradley said. "I think there certainly will be fans there supporting the U.S., but I think there will be fans there supporting Canada, Honduras, and Panama."

Chuck Blazer, CONCACAF's general secretary, was asked whether future international soccer matches in Philadelphia would be moved to the Union's soccer-specific stadium - which will seat 18,500 fans - or remain at the 67,594-capacity Lincoln Financial Field.

"I think if you have a good turnout at the games on Saturday, you have a better chance of convincing the people at the U.S. Soccer Federation to put games here," Blazer said.

The Gold Cup semifinals will be played July 23 in Chicago. The title game will be July 26 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.