USMNT Stunned by Panama in Concacaf Nations League
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The U.S. men’s national team (USMNT) faced a shocking defeat at the hands of Panama, as Cecilio Waterman, a substitute for the Canalero, scored a dramatic goal in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time. This 1-0 loss at SoFi Stadium ended the USMNT’s streak of three consecutive wins in the Concacaf Nations League.
This victory for Panama wasn’t just a one-off; it marked the third consecutive time they have bested the U.S. in tournament play. The streak began with a 2023 Gold Cup semifinal win on penalties, followed by a 2024 Copa America group stage victory, and now this latest triumph. For Mauricio Pochettino, it was his first competitive defeat since taking over as coach on September 10.
After the match, Pochettino expressed his disappointment with the U.S. team’s performance, particularly in the first half, where he felt they lacked risk-taking. “I’m disappointed because I think it’s not the way that we want to build this journey together and moving forward with the objective to play in the World Cup, with the objective to be competitive,” he stated.
Panama’s win was well-deserved, as they were tactically astute, defensively solid, and opportunistic in their attacks. The U.S. team, on the other hand, delivered a lackluster performance, characterized by sterile passing and poor set-piece deliveries from Christian Pulisic, despite having nine corners.
USMNT’s Struggles in Creating Quality Chances
The match highlighted a persistent issue for the USMNT: the creation of quality chances. This has been a long-standing problem, even with talents like Pulisic and other top club players, under the guidance of a renowned coach like Pochettino. Panama’s approach has become the blueprint for defeating the U.S.
Just a few months ago, in November, the U.S. seemed to be making progress in their attacking play. Their Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal triumph over Jamaica, with a 5-2 aggregate win, suggested that the Pochettino era was gaining momentum. However, against Panama, the U.S. reverted to their old form, struggling to break down a well-organized 5-4-1 formation.
- Josh Sargent’s close-range effort in the 19th minute, blocked by Panama defender Edgardo Fariña, was the closest the U.S. came to scoring in the first half.
- Despite Panama’s disciplined defense, the U.S. didn’t help themselves with lackluster touches and static movement.
Midfielder Tyler Adams, returning to the lineup for the first time since last summer’s Copa America, acknowledged the need for improvement. “Sharpness for sure can be better,” he said. “I’m not sitting here to make excuses about anything. We’re not jet-lagged. We’re not anything: guys play three-game weeks all the time in tough environments in the Premier League, whatever leagues they’re playing in respectively and it’s tough.”
Opportunities Missed and Tactical Decisions
Josh Sargent, who had a chance to showcase his club form at the international level, found himself largely a spectator due to a lack of service. Although he did score in the 25th minute, the goal was disallowed as Timothy Weah was offside in the buildup.
Sargent was substituted in the 68th minute for Patrick Agyemang, who nearly put the U.S. ahead in the 82nd minute, but Panama’s goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera made a fantastic save. The U.S. needed creativity from the bench, but Pochettino opted for Jack McGlynn over Gio Reyna and Diego Luna, a decision that didn’t pay off.
Questions were also raised about goalkeeper Matt Turner’s positioning on the winning goal. His limited playing time at Crystal Palace, with only four appearances in the 2024-25 season, may have contributed to his inability to meet the moment.
Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities
So, where does the U.S. go from here? Pochettino hinted at overconfidence, stating, “We are USA. You cannot win with your shirt, or you cannot win if you play here, there or I don’t know. You need to show, and you need to come here and be better, and suffer, and win the duels and work hard. If not, it’s not going to be enough.”
Adams emphasized the need for a proactive approach, saying, “I don’t know what we’ve lacked exactly, whether it was that competitive nature, that mentality, but we need to look in the mirror before anything and just realize that when we have these types of games, we can’t wait for something to happen. We need to make things happen and put games on our terms.”
The U.S. will need to quickly regroup as they face either Canada or Mexico in Sunday’s third-place game. Pochettino will be searching for ways to revive a dismal attack and instill a sense of urgency in his players.
Originally Written by: Jeff Carlisle
