For the second time in less than a year, Panama has delivered a shocking blow to the United States men’s national team in tournament play.
However, unlike last summer’s Copa América upset in the group stage, Thursday’s defeat in the Concacaf Nations League semifinal has far greater consequences. The 1-0 loss not only ends the USMNT’s run in the tournament but also ensures they won’t defend a title they had claimed three times in a row from 2021 to 2024.
“I am very, very disappointed because I think the way we approached and started the game wasn’t right,” said USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino after the match. Cecilio Waterman’s stoppage-time goal sealed the Americans’ fate, leaving Pochettino and his squad searching for answers. “We need to find a way to compete better,” he added.
