By Dieudonne Tebit | March 22, 2025

The U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) stumbled in their pursuit of regional dominance with a 1-0 loss to Panama in the 2025 CONCACAF Nations League semifinal. In a match that raised more questions than it answered, the defeat extended a worrying trend the third consecutive competitive loss to Panama after defeats in the 2023 Gold Cup and 2024 Copa América.

Played at SoFi Stadium, the U.S. controlled the ball for long spells 67% possession and produced more shots than their opponents, yet they fell short where it mattered most. Despite 12 attempts on goal and close chances from Josh Sargent and substitute Patrick Agyemang, it was Panama’s Cecilio Waterman who made the difference, scoring deep in stoppage time after a lapse in the American defense.

The loss underscored recurring issues within the USMNT setup: shaky finishing, lapses in concentration, and tactical disarray in high-pressure moments. For Mauricio Pochettino, appointed to inject belief, discipline, and tactical sharpness, this was a tough blow early in his tenure.

A Tactical Breakdown
Known for his aggressive high-pressing philosophy and a preference for the 4-2-3-1 formation, Pochettino has been tasked with transforming the U.S. squad into a competitive force ahead of the 2026 World Cup. But his early blueprint hit snags against Panama.

Key injuries, particularly to fullback Antonee Robinson, forced a defensive reshuffle. Joe Scally moved to left-back while midfielder Yunus Musah was deployed in an unfamiliar right-back role. This robbed the team of natural width and cohesion qualities essential to breaking down compact opponents like Panama.

The midfield, while physically dominant, lacked creative spark. In transition, the U.S. was too often predictable, allowing Panama to sit deep and counter when needed. The final third felt crowded, the ideas stale, and the execution rushed.

The Way Forward: What Pochettino Can Do
Pochettino isn’t new to adversity. At Tottenham and PSG, he weathered pressure and built teams that fought with heart and structure. To get the USMNT back on track, several adjustments are needed:

• Solidify the Backline
  Injuries are inevitable, but defensive structure shouldn’t fall apart when one piece is missing. Pochettino must develop a reliable rotation system with players comfortable in multiple positions and give them time to gel.
• Inject Midfield Creativity
  The absence of a true playmaker was glaring. Integrating creative talents like Gio Reyna or Diego Luna could provide the unpredictable edge the U.S. lacked against Panama.
• Improve Pressing Coordination
  A hallmark of Pochettino’s teams is pressing high and pressing smart. But the current squad appeared disjointed. Drills to perfect coordinated pressing and knowing when to fall back are crucial.
• Sharpen the Attack
  With 12 shots and no goals, efficiency must be addressed. More focused finishing drills, along with greater tactical variety in the final third, can help.
• Build Mental Toughness
  Conceding in stoppage time reflects lapses in concentration. Building a resilient mentality and teaching players how to manage late-game pressure will be key moving forward.

Final Thoughts
Losing to Panama wasn’t just about one goal or one poor performance it was a signal. The USMNT, with all its promise and emerging talent, must evolve tactically and mentally to avoid repeating these stumbles on bigger stages.

Mauricio Pochettino has the pedigree and the vision. But the road to 2026 will require more than potential it demands cohesion, clarity, and consistency. The good news? It’s early days. There’s still time to turn this wake-up call into a turning point.