The U.S. Men’s National Team enter a new era tonight with their first match under new head coach Mauricio Pochettino. Tonight’s match against Panama is the first of a pair of friendlies that will hopefully help the team adjust to the new coach and coordinate as a group before the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals in November.
Tonight’s opponents, Panama, are the third-highest ranked team in Concacaf and recently had success in the 2023 Gold Cup, where they were the runners-up to Mexico.
Chat about the game here!
USA vs. Panama
Advertised Kick-off Time: 9:00pm Eastern
Venue: Q2 Stadium, Austin, TX
Available TV: TNT (English), Telemundo (Spanish), Universo (Spanish)
Available streaming: Max (English), Peacock (English), FuboTV (Free Trial)
Thank you so much, Annie! Really glad there’s a dedicated thread.
Feels a little bit like being an audience member opening night of a much anticipated show- with all that entails. Here we go!
Fascinating lineup. Think it’s fair to say Poch has gone for players that will track back instinctively. Interesting to see Aiden Morris and Busio in a double pivot, and Musah on the right wing. Sargent gets a big opportunity to impress, McKenzie gets the start with Ream. I also wonder how Aaronson will perform at CAM, he’s shown the requisite skill to play there earlier in his career, sorta felt like Leeds broke his brain in terms of composure.
Again, let’s go!
There’s still clearly a lot of work to do, but there is a sense in the opening 12 minutes that the point is to create chances, and get to the final third. That’s sadly an improvement
McKenzie is gonna have to not make fouls in that position, thankfully the fk is non-lethal
We’re missing some players, but Panama has made it clear they’re not a doormat, as well. This is a competitive, organized team, and it will take a certain level to undo them. Good test.
Is it just me or does it feel like Panama is keeping the US either in its own defensive third or in the midfield third?
Could it just be that we’re more in the ascendancy most moments of the game, and we’re not used to it?
The bad news some distance into this game is, Musah very much has not found the right impact or influence further up the field
Also DCU posted on the teams Facebook that they lost 2-1.
Lord of Swamp Castle: This is supposed to be a happy occasion!
Pulisic slow to get up after a tough challenge.
I think the ref is making the right calls. There are some foolish plays by the US out of possession to get the ball back, and she’s been consistent
Panama are making some excellent blocks, gotta say
And the best chance for the US so far tonight and Aaroson puts it right at the goalie.
Yeah, that’s the difference in international tournaments- in those moments, you want the player on the end of it to be automatic.
I know that’s really his first chance, and it’s come unfortunately late, but you want Sargent to put that skipper away
Nervy moments late in the half
0-0 at the half, but that was not a frustrating half in terms of mentality. The team’s intention has shifted away from the Berhalter values, and we’re seeing some positive signs. There’s far less possession and side to side and back thinking, there are quick attempts to get the ball forward when there’s an opportunity and a generally good shape if it doesn’t immediately work out. Still a long ways to go in terms of movement and lethality, but Poch just got started
Musah gets the power slam of a tap in after some electric play down the left
1-0 US
Somewhere, Berhalter is gritting his teeth, and muttering “But they’re not doing it the Right Way!!!”
Great hustle play by Robinson to keep the ball in play, pass to Pulisic, give and and go with Aaronson, then a cross from Pulisic that Musah puts it away for his first goal for the Red, White, and Blue.
Turner with a double save to keep Panama from equalizing.
The second one on the replay was pretty impressive, very quick feet and reactions
Wow, Turner comes up huge on a double save during a US lapse
Nervy moments off a corner for Panama.
Yeah, about four players watched it drop in the box
Wright for Pulisic, Tessman for Busio (don’t like that one), Pepi for Sargent, Lund for Robinson
I honestly don’t see the point of Tessman. This may be a friendly, but it’s important to avoid a collapse. IMO, we have a big weak link out there right now
Man, he’s bad. Sluggish in and out of possession despite his youth, not smart enough. Fucking don’t get it with Tessman being a pro.
Pepi takes a hammer of a clearance to the side of the head, oof. Seems to be alright
Zendejas in for Musah
Morris has had an alright game, but making it him and Tessman at double pivot is begging for a fuck up to occur
Our old friend Fajardo Fajardos HARD with a wide miss off a gorgeous direct service
Wildly against the balance of play in the last minutes, but Pepi finishes it off
2-0
Final whistle. Lots of positives, but I gotta think Zendejas and Tessman will rarely be seen when players come back. Yikes.
The reffing crew was extremely competent. Anyone who complains about how this game was managed, much less bring their gender into their criticism, need to get drop kicked