There can be a brand new CONCACAF Nations League winner for the primary time within the historical past of the competitors.
Panama shocked the U.S. males’s nationwide workforce at SoFi Stadium on Thursday, claiming a 1-0 semifinal victory over the reigning three-time champions. Cecelio Waterman’s stoppage time strike propelled Thomas Christiansen’s squad into Sunday’s closing and handed the People a fourth head-to-head defeat out of the previous six encounters.
I’m upset as a result of I believe it’s not the way in which that we wish to construct this journey collectively and transferring ahead with the target to play within the World Cup, with the target to be aggressive,” Pochettino stated in his postmatch press convention.
An early assured interval from the USMNT nearly led to the opening purpose within the nineteenth minute. Christian Pulisic performed Weston McKennie into the Panama field earlier than McKennie’s layoff cross discovered Josh Sargent. Sargent’s shot deflected off of Edgardo Farina earlier than hitting the suitable submit and rolling away from the web.
McKennie’s header on the subsequent USMNT possession was gathered by Orlando Mosquera, however served as one other warning shot by the People.
Sargent regarded to have boosted the People in entrance after 24 minutes however Tim Weah was dominated offsides within the buildup play. Weah’s cross discovered Sargent within the Panama field earlier than the Norwich Metropolis striker drilled a strong shot into the suitable nook.
The USMNT amped up their offensive strain after halftime with Weah’s right-footed effort being caught by Mosquera. Pulisic additionally examined his effort three minutes later, however watched his shot deflect out of bounds.
Patrick Agyemang got here off the bench and regarded the closest to breaking the impasse. McKennie’s by ball cross sprung Agyemang upfield earlier than the Charlotte FC man tried a right-footed shot.
Mosquera dove to his left to disclaim Agyemang earlier than finally gathering the rebound.
With each groups wanting destined for additional time, second-half substitute Waterman referred to as his personal quantity on the loss of life. A poor header from Pulisic led to a Panama counter assault, finally resulting in Waterman’s right-footed shot nestling into the bottom-left nook.
The USMNT did not discover a late equalizer, struggling a second defeat of the Pochettino-era.
Panama will meet Mexico in Sunday’s Nations League Remaining whereas the USMNT faces off Canada within the third place match.