The Concacaf Nations League semifinals are upon us, and the United States men’s national soccer team is just one game away from reaching their fourth straight final, aiming for their first trophy under coach Mauricio Pochettino. However, overcoming Panama on Thursday at SoFi Stadium is a significant challenge for the USMNT. They last played in a friendly in Austin in 2024, which the USMNT won 2-0. These teams have a history, with Panama having defeated the United States in past Copa America competitions.
Injury concerns exist with the absence of key players, but the return of Tyler Adams to the squad provides the USMNT with more midfield options, which will be crucial.
While the USMNT enters this match with confidence, it’s also the first camp under Pochettino for several players. As part of preparations for the 2026 World Cup, Pochettino needs to evaluate a wide range of players to assess their capabilities. This camp, even without players like Robinson, offers valuable opportunities. It will help Pochettino determine reliable depth within the squad and identify areas needing attention during the Gold Cup period. The USMNT has recently been dominant in Concacaf, but their single home defeat to opposition from the region in their last 30 games was against Panama.
Panama, improving under Thomas Christensen since 2020, has become a strong fourth team in Concacaf. With Adalberto Carrasquilla in midfield, they can dictate the tempo, and Anibal Godoy adds strength alongside him. The midfield battle will likely decide the outcome of this match.
Predicted lineups
USMNT predicted XI: Matt Turner, Max Arfsten, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Joe Scally, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Tim Weah, Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, Josh Sargent
Panama predicted XI: Orlando Mosquera, Roderick Miller, Edgardo Farina, Jose Cordoba, Cesar Blackmon, Adalberto Carrasquilla, Anibal Godoy, Michael Murillo, Jose Fajardo, Tomas Rodriguez, Yoel Barcemas
Prediction
Despite squad absences, the USMNT is expected to secure a home victory as Pochettino’s tactical approach becomes clearer. Pick: United States 2, Panama 0
