Mar 20, 2025, 11:17 PM ET
Cecilio Waterman loved two lifestyles highlights in a memorable night time at SoFi Stadium on Thursday. No longer most effective did the Panama striker rating a shocking winner in opposition to the U.S. males’s nationwide group, he were given to have fun along with his football idol, Thierry Henry.
Waterman’s function got here within the fourth minute of second-half damage time as Panama beat the three-time protecting champion USMNT 1-0 in Inglewood, California, to succeed in the Concacaf Countries League ultimate.
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Waterman took a cross down the proper facet from Adalberto Carrasquilla in entrance of a packed-in U.S. protection and fired an excellent right-footed diagonal shot previous Matt Turner into the some distance left nook. Waterman’s eleventh world function, on Panama’s most effective shot on the right track at the night time, complex the Panamanians to a last Sunday in opposition to Mexico or Canada.
“Many just right issues have took place to me in my profession, however this one is other,” Waterman mentioned. “This one used to be improbable.”
Waterman, a 33-year-old who performs professionally in Chile, ripped off his jersey and hurdled the promoting finish forums sooner than hiking up onto a printed degree to have fun with Henry, who regarded simply as shocked as the remainder of the group at SoFi Stadium.
“You might be my idol!” Waterman many times shouted in Spanish sooner than hugging Henry, an Arsenal nice.
Cecilio Waterman celebrates Panama’s winner with Thierry Henry. Shaun Clark/ISI Footage/USSF/Getty Pictures for USSF
Waterman took his personal step towards idol standing as Panama beat the U.S. for the 3rd directly time in aggressive suits, following wins in a 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup semifinal and the crowd degree of remaining yr’s Copa América.
Trainer Thomas Christiansen’s facet has many times exceeded expectancies all through his tenure, and this victory used to be most effective the most recent exceptional fulfillment for Los Canaleros, who beat Costa Rica at the highway remaining November within the Countries League quarterfinals.
“That is the 3rd time we now have been on this place,” Waterman mentioned. “This time, we wish to give that reward to Panama. We wish to succeed in one thing for them, for Central The us
Panama earned one of the most greatest wins in its football historical past on the identical stadium the place Los Canaleros misplaced the 2023 Gold Cup ultimate to Mexico on a past due function via Santi Giménez. 3 days sooner than that fit, Panama additionally disappointed the U.S. 5-4 on penalty kicks in a semifinal.
“I believe the fellows performed an ideal fit,” Christiansen mentioned. “The one approach to beat the U.S. is with tactical self-discipline and order, after which a bit good fortune. That must be with you, and it used to be with us this time.”
For the primary time, the Concacaf Countries League trophy may not keep within the U.S. The American citizens gained the primary 3 editions of this event, which most effective started in 2019.
Knowledge from The Related Press used to be used on this record.
