INGLEWOOD, Calif. – U.S. men`s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino expressed his disappointment following Thursday`s 1-0 loss to Panama in the Concacaf Nations League semifinals. He stated that the performance did not reflect the team`s true capabilities, including those of star player Christian Pulisic.
The USMNT, who are three-time CNL champions, suffered a defeat after a first half that Pochettino described as “painful” and unrepresentative of the team`s potential. Despite dominating possession and taking 12 shots, they only managed 0.68 expected goals against a defensive Panama team. Pulisic, in particular, had a quiet game, taking just one shot. While Pochettino acknowledged Pulisic`s underwhelming performance, he remains confident in the player`s ability to bounce back.
“It`s not an excuse, but players like him face immense pressure,” Pochettino commented on Saturday, ahead of the third-place match against Canada, referring to Pulisic. “This isn`t the Christian we expect, as he is capable of much more. These competitions can come at different times for players, affecting team performance. However, with the World Cup as our main goal, I`m certain Christian will be ready and at his best for us.”
Pochettino clarified that the Panama game was not indicative of his desired playing style and his leadership`s vision for the team.
“We have high expectations for everyone, every player,” he emphasized. “The game against Panama doesn`t define us as a team, individual players, coaches, or the USMNT program. Such games can happen, but we must improve.”
The coach also pointed to a lack of team cohesion as a factor in Thursday`s struggles. He fielded a somewhat experimental lineup due to injuries, with Yunus Musah and Timothy Weah in unfamiliar wingback roles, and Tanner Tessman making a rare start in midfield alongside Tyler Adams. Josh Sargent led the attack in the absence of Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi.
“I didn`t see the necessary chemistry,” Pochettino admitted. “This is concerning and might be my responsibility. We need to consider different player combinations to address this issue.”
Pochettino hinted at potential lineup changes for the upcoming match against Canada, indicating a rotation strategy. Canada will present a different tactical challenge compared to Panama, who primarily defended and scored in the 94th minute through Cecilio Waterman`s only shot on target.
Pochettino conceded that the performance against Panama was flawed but acknowledged some positive aspects.
“We deserved to win against Panama,” he argued. “Analyzing the game, they scored with their only shot on target in 94 minutes. That`s football, and we must accept it and be critical. To reach this level, conceding one goal shouldn`t be decisive if we score twice. The issue was our lack of scoring. Discipline was present, and the game plan was followed. The players tried hard, ran, and made efforts, but we need to be more aggressive and competitive.”
Pochettino has prioritized establishing a competitive mentality within the team early in his tenure, recognizing that a lack of intensity, particularly in the first half, contributed to the Panama defeat. The team`s response against Canada remains uncertain.
“It`s a question mark,” Pochettino stated. “We aim for consistent focus, concentration, and mental strength in every competition, official or friendly. Tomorrow`s game is crucial to assess our reaction. We need to demonstrate character. It`s not just about the result but about enhancing our performance.”
Watch Information
- Date: Sunday, March 23
- Time: 6 p.m. ET
- Location: SoFi Stadium — Inglewood, California
- Live stream: Paramount+
- Odds: Canada +225; Draw +230; USMNT +114
