One goal could be realized without the other, but with only one additional tournament on the calendar before the sport’s spectacle comes to North America, an urgency to check both boxes greeted Mauricio Pochettino’s squad.
In Thursday’s semifinal against Panama, the Americans came away empty, conceding a stoppage-time goal by Cecilio Waterman in a 1-0 loss at SoFi Stadium.
The result was bad, and so was the performance.
“It’s not the way we want to build this journey together and moving forward with the objective to play in the World Cup with the objective to be competitive,” Pochettino said.
The Americans never seemed comfortable with the ball and created few chances in losing to Panama in an official match for the second time in about nine months. Last summer, it came in Copa América.
“We need to start adding up wins,” said midfielder Tyler Adams, who made his first appearance since last summer’s tournament. “That builds confidence in international football. You don’t have time together. That’s the bottom line. We’re not going to develop some crazy style of play all of a sudden and come out and play like Man City or something. That’s just not what international football is. It comes down to the smallest moments. And again, another small moment from nothing and it’s a goal — you lose.”
Pochettino has been on the job since October, a high-profile hire made with sights set on a deep run at the World Cup, which will primarily be played in the United States as well as Canada and Mexico. He got started with friendlies and the Nations League quarterfinals, but as star forward Christian Pulisic said this week: “Now is when it matters. We have something at stake.”
The Nations League is not the World Cup. Nor is it Copa América, at which the U.S. team bombed under former coach Gregg Berhalter last year, or the Concacaf Gold Cup, this summer’s 16-team regional test. But it did fall in an official international window, when all European-based players, in the prime of their club seasons, were available (if healthy).
“The first half was really painful to see,” Pochettino said. “We didn’t compete in the way the game required. ... The second half, we were better but never was the feeling that you can score.”
The match seemed headed for 30 minutes of extra time when Waterman collected the ball on the right side of the penalty area and drove a low 16-yard shot beyond Matt Turner’s reach and into the far corner. Waterman leaped over the signboards and hopped onto the TV studio platform to celebrate with former French superstar Thierry Henry, a CBS Sports analyst.
Thierry Henry, on the Fox set, talks with Panama's Cecilio Waterman after the forward scored the game-winner Thursday against the United States.© Jayne Kamin-Oncea/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
In Sunday’s final, Panama will face Mexico, which defeated Canada, 2-0, on goals by Raúl Jiménez in the first and 75th minutes. The United States and Canada will play for third place.
The Panamanian victory came amid political tension between the countries following President Donald Trump’s suggestion the United States should retake the Panama Canal.
Panamanian Coach Thomas Christansen played down the political angle, saying: “If someone wants to use [the victory] for that, it’s up to them. I will use the victory to get more strength in my team, more believing that things can happen with good work and [commitment]. What I can say is that Panama has to be proud of what we have achieved and, of course, enjoy it.”
Playing in front of a scattered crowd before the large legion of Mexican fans arrived for the nightcap, the Americans doused early threats and thwarted counterattacks. In their fifth year under Christiansen, the Panamanians understood their roles and worked in steeled if unspectacular unison.
The first quality U.S. chance came in the 19th minute, when Weston McKennie crossed to Josh Sargent for a seven-yard one-timer that caromed off defender Edgardo Fariña and struck the near post.
Five minutes later, Sargent’s apparent goal was immediately nullified because his provider, Tim Weah, was offside receiving captain Tim Ream’s long service.
Most of the half, though, was a failed operation by the U.S. attack, which lacked ideas and labored to capitalize on abundant possession. With freedom to roam, Pulisic did not make an imprint.
“We obviously had the ball most of the game, but we just couldn’t create enough,” he said. “We weren’t dangerous enough. We were lacking a bit of aggressiveness and creativity.”
Pochettino’s analysis was direct: “We played too slow. We didn’t show aggression with the ball. ... You need to take risks. You need to go forward."
U.S. intensity grew in the second half, but so did its frustration. After one faulty moment, Pulisic held out his arms and tilted his head back. Nothing was working.
Substitute Patrick Agyemang had two late opportunities, but after collecting McKennie’s through ball, he placed a low shot within reach of goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera, then snapped Pulisic’s cross over the crossbar from six yards.
After Waterman’s goal and the wild celebration, Adams sent a side volley streaking past the left post — the last gasp for a stunned U.S. side.
“Sometimes bad things can be very helpful,” Pochettino said. “Of course, there’s still time — 15 months” until the World Cup.