Panic in Inglewood: USMNT’s Nations League Dream Crumbles Against Panama
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — It was supposed to be a night of dominance, a routine step toward another Concacaf Nations League crown. Instead, it turned into a nightmare. The U.S. Men’s National Team, led by Mauricio Pochettino, suffered a shocking 1-0 defeat to Panama in the semifinals, leaving fans in disbelief and the coach visibly frustrated.
“Wearing the U.S. jersey doesn’t guarantee victory,” Pochettino fumed postgame at SoFi Stadium on Thursday. “You have to show up, fight, suffer, and earn it. Tonight, we didn’t do that.”
Possession Without Purpose
Despite commanding 66% possession, the U.S. lacked creativity and intensity. Their xG (expected goals) sat at a paltry 0.68, reflecting their inability to turn possession into real threats. Meanwhile, Panama—who managed an even lower xG of 0.10—made their moment count. Cecilio Waterman’s stunning goal in stoppage time sealed the Americans’ fate and extended Panama’s recent dominance over the U.S.
This marks the third consecutive tournament where the Canaleros have stunned the U.S., including a Copa América knockout punch that cost former coach Gregg Berhalter his job.
Poch’s Tactical Gamble Backfires
Fans and pundits were left questioning Pochettino’s decisions. Why didn’t he bring in creative forces like Giovanni Reyna or Diego Luna earlier? The Argentine coach admitted he was holding them for extra time—an extra time that never came.
“We never expected to concede like that,” he admitted. “We were thinking of using Gio and Diego, but now, they’ll get their chance in the next match.”
The U.S. now faces Canada in a third-place consolation match on Sunday, but let’s be real: No one dreams of third place.
Where’s the Fire?
The core issue? A lack of fight. Pochettino made it clear—without grit, intensity, and risk-taking, this team will continue to struggle.
“If you don’t have aggression, you’re predictable,” he warned. “You have to take risks, fight for duels, and go forward. That’s the only way to win.”
With the golden era of U.S. soccer supposedly upon us, this loss raises uncomfortable questions. Is this just a bump in the road or a brutal reality check? Either way, one thing is certain—this team needs to wake up fast.
