Pochettino’s United States Reign Commences with a Triumphant 2-0 Victory over Panama
Mauricio Pochettino, the former Tottenham Hotspur manager, has marked the commencement of his reign as the head coach of the United States men’s national soccer team with a resounding 2-0 victory against Panama in Austin, Texas.
In front of a raucous crowd at Q2 Stadium, the United States dominated the proceedings from the outset. The hosts’ aggressive pressing and high-energy play forced Panama into numerous errors and limited their attacking opportunities.
The breakthrough came in the 37th minute when Jesus Ferreira, the FC Dallas forward, broke the deadlock with a clinical finish. Ferreira received a pass from Weston McKennie in the penalty area and calmly slotted the ball past Panama goalkeeper Luis Mejía.
The United States doubled their advantage in the 65th minute through Brenden Aaronson, the Leeds United winger. Aaronson collected the ball on the right flank, beat his defender with a skillful move, and fired a powerful shot into the far corner of the net.
Pochettino’s tactical acumen was evident throughout the match. The United States played with a pressing, counter-attacking style that suited the strengths of their players. The midfield trio of McKennie, Tyler Adams, and Yunus Musah controlled the tempo of the game and provided constant support to the attacking players.
Panama, managed by Thomas Christiansen, had their moments but struggled to create clear-cut chances. The visitors’ best opportunity came in the second half when Édgar Bárcenas fired a shot that hit the post.
The victory marks a positive start for Pochettino, who took over the United States national team in February after Gregg Berhalter’s departure. The Argentine coach will be hoping to build on this momentum and guide the team to success in the upcoming CONCACAF Nations League and FIFA World Cup.
For Panama, the defeat serves as a reminder of the challenges they will face in qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which they will co-host alongside the United States and Mexico.