Jeff CarlisleMar 20, 2025, 11:21 PM ET
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- Jeff Carlisle covers MLS and the U.S. nationwide workforce for ESPN FC.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — United States supervisor Mauricio Pochettino used to be visibly pissed off after his facet’s stunning 1-0 defeat to Panama within the semifinals of the Concacaf Countries League, bluntly telling his gamers it used to be now not sufficient to easily display up within the nationwide workforce blouse and be expecting to win.
“We’re USA. You can’t win along with your blouse, or you can not win in the event you play right here, there or I do not know,” Pochettino stated after the sport at SoFi Stadium on Thursday. “You want to turn, and you want to return right here and be higher and endure and win the duels and paintings arduous.
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“If now not, it is not going to be sufficient.”
The U.S. ruled ownership 66% to 34% however did not create a lot in the best way of probabilities, registering an xG of 0.68. Panama created a good decrease xG — 0.10 — however made its probabilities depend. Change Cecilio Waterman scored within the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time to assert the win.
The loss ended the USMNT’s likelihood to stay the one workforce to have gained the Countries League.
The win marked the 0.33 consecutive time that the Canaleros have crushed the U.S. in reputable pageant, together with a victory over the American citizens within the 2024 Copa The united states that resulted in their removal from the match and the firing of then-coach Gregg Berhalter.
Pochettino used to be particularly dissatisfied with how the U.S. began, being just a little too content material to play ownership with out being incisive.
U.S. trainer Mauricio Pochettino talks to his gamers all through their Concacaf Countries League loss to Panama. Getty Pictures
“The best way that we manner the sport and get started the sport wasn’t in the proper method,” he stated. “Because of this I believe so dissatisfied, and all of us really feel dissatisfied. I feel within the first 1/2, we performed too sluggish, so at ease at the pitch. We did not display aggression with the ball.”
The U.S. perked up after halftime, with Timothy Weah making inroads down the left wing. Change Patrick Agyemang had a wonderful likelihood to position the U.S. forward within the 82nd minute, just for Panama keeper Orlando Mosquera to disclaim him with a very good save low to his left.
With creativity briefly provide, Pochettino used to be requested why he did not choose to position ingenious gamers like Giovanni Reyna or Diego Luna into the fit. He indicated he used to be looking ahead to time beyond regulation to most likely introduce them.
“We by no means be expecting to concede on this second,” Pochettino stated. “That’s the fact, however [I] agree. We have been considering to provide solution to play Gio and Diego, however evidently they are going to have the ability [next match].”
The U.S. will face Canada, which misplaced to Mexico in Thursday’s different semifinal, within the third-place comfort sport Sunday.
Irrespective of the opponent, Pochettino needs to peer extra scrappiness.
“For those who do not have aggression, it is unimaginable since the opponent, [they] know that we’re going to play into the ft,” he stated. “You’ll play secure. You don’t seem to be going to take chance.
“If you wish to play soccer, you want to take dangers, you want to head ahead, you want to win duels, someday 50-50. This is my objective.”
