Mauricio Pochettino made a memorable debut as the U.S. coach at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas, where he led the team to a 2-0 victory over Panama in front of a near-capacity crowd of 20,239 fans. The match marked the first of two friendlies for the U.S. in a four-day span, with the next game scheduled against Mexico in Guadalajara.
Yunus Musah opened the scoring in the 49th minute with a goal assisted by Christian Pulisic, followed by Ricardo Pepi's stoppage-time strike to seal the win. This victory ended the U.S.'s four-game winless streak and their first four-game home winless streak since 2010-11.
Pochettino, who was appointed last month to replace Gregg Berhalter, expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, emphasizing that the ultimate goal is the 2026 World Cup. He commended the fans for their overwhelming support, describing their reception as 'amazing.'
Musah, who scored his first goal in 42 international appearances, expressed his hope for more goals in the future. Pulisic, who played a key role in Musah's goal, praised the young player's goal-scoring instincts.
The U.S. team showcased resilience throughout the match, with goalkeeper Matt Turner making crucial saves, including a double save in the 52nd minute. The team's second goal came in stoppage time, with a combination of three substitutes culminating in Pepi's goal.
Despite the victory, Turner remained grounded, acknowledging that there is still room for improvement and emphasizing the importance of building for the future. The win marked a positive start under Pochettino's leadership, setting the stage for further progress.
Both teams acknowledged the impact of a new coach, with Panama's coach Thomas Christiansen recognizing the U.S.'s victory as a result of the coaching change. The match also saw historic moments, including Tim Ream captaining the U.S. team at the age of 37 and Mexican referee Katia Garcia officiating the game.
Several key players were absent due to injuries, including Zack Steffen and Weston McKennie. However, the team demonstrated depth and resilience, securing a convincing victory under Pochettino's guidance.
Overall, the match was a significant step forward for the U.S. team, signaling a promising start to their journey under Pochettino's leadership as they aim to make an impact in the upcoming World Cup.
