USMNT vs. Panama score: USA soccer win in Mauricio Pochettino's debut; Christian Pulisic sets up Yunus Musah

An intense performance also came with some promise as the U.S. won 2-0

The United States men's national team made sure the Mauricio Pochettino era would start off on the right foot with a 2-0 victory over Panama on Saturday in an international friendly. Christian Pulisic found Yunus Musah early in the second half for the game's lone goal, playing a ball waist-high across the face of goal, allowing his AC Milan teammate to open up his body and finish comfortably into the middle of the net. 

The strike was Musah's first with the national team and came in an overall promising display that showed fluidity in positioning, an increased intensity and some positive movement with and without the ball, capped off with Ricardo Pepi's goal in added time to double up the Panamanians. 

You could see the style Pochettino wants his team to play in the first 90 minutes with him at the helm.  The most encouraging sign, especially early, was the versatility that the formation and players could bring. Musah was out on the right instead of centrally, and we saw Brenden Aaronson playing behind Sargent with an almost triangle of players looking to connect. Additionally, Aaronson and Pulisic would alternate in support of Sargent, and that would leave space for Antonee Robinson to get deep down the left flank, using space typically occupied by Pulisic. Robinson was one of the bright spots, getting into space and using his technique to play quick passes into dangerous areas. 

Panama's best look at the night came in the final minutes when Jose Fajardo failed to connect on a golden ball in the box, sending an effort wide of Matt Turner's goal. 

Pochettino gave key players like Pulisic a breather, making four changes just after the hour mark.

Overall, a win is a win and Pochettino will surely take it. The team showed energy and discipline, despite not threatening nearly as much as they would have liked. But for a debut, considering the short amount of time he's had to work with the players, there's very little to be bothered with, getting a goal each half and recording a cleansheet. 

With the win, the U.S. build momentum ahead of a much bigger test on Tuesday -- a friendly in Guadalajara against rival Mexico. 

[Oct 12, 2024 at 9:51 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

USMNT 2-0 Panama

⚽ 49' Yunus Musah
⚽ 90+3' Ricardo Pepi

[Oct 12, 2024 at 11:10 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

That's it! Full time! USMNT beat Panama, 2-0

Game over! Poch wins his debut in a performance that was good enough. It wasn't earth-shattering by any means, but he'll be pleased with many aspects of these 90 minutes in Austin. Next up, Mexico on Tuesday in Guadalajara. 

[Oct 12, 2024 at 11:03 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Goal Pepi! USA up 2-0!

It's 2-0 in added time as Ricardo Pepi finishes inside the box! Pochettino looks pleased as it's an insurance goal in a game that has just seconds left to play. Tillman played a nice ball across the face of goal, and Pepi puts it away despite not tucking it into the corner.

[Oct 12, 2024 at 10:40 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

15 to go as things get chippy

Things are getting a bit tense between Miller and Musah but the ref quickly defuses the situation as 15 minutes remain in this one. There's been some good moments from the U.S., and most importantly, the intensity has been there in Poch's debut.

[Oct 12, 2024 at 10:34 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Changes for the U.S.

On come Haji Wright, Tanner Tessmann, Ricardo Pepi and Kristoffer Hansen.

Off are Antonee Robinson, Josh Sargent, Gianluca Busio and Christian Pulisic.

[Oct 12, 2024 at 10:26 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

60' Panama getting dangerously close to goal, positionally speaking

It's not that Panama are really creating dangerous shots, but they continue to find space near the endlines to get into dangerous position. The U.S. defense has done well to clear out the trouble, but if this continues, a golden chance could come from it. They must be a better at closing down quickly in the corners to prevent this from happening. 

[Oct 12, 2024 at 10:17 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Goal USA!!!!

Great combining by the USA as Musah scores! 1-0! Lovely combining down the left as Robinson finds Pulisic, and he does a give-and-go with Aaronson before playing a ball waist level across the face of goal that Musah puts away with ease!

[Oct 12, 2024 at 10:04 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

45' And that's the half

0-0 at the break. The match has really lacked some good chances but there has been fluidity in the USA's formation. Now another half to try and find a winner and give others some minutes. 

[Oct 12, 2024 at 9:50 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

38' Great chance for USMNT!

Pulisic does a nice job to steal the ball box near midfield, combine with Sargent and play Aaronson through, but the Leeds man's effort across his body is denied well by the goalkeeper.

[Oct 12, 2024 at 9:41 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

31' Pulisic down

He'll continue, but he got a nice knee shot right into the right of his leg, and it looked painful. After being down in pain for about 20 seconds, he gets up. 

[Oct 12, 2024 at 9:32 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

As we approach the half-hour mark

We are 22 minutes in and the U.S. hasn't gotten a true shot off as Busio's attempt is blocked at the top of the box before Pulisic's effort in the box goes off a defender and heads out for a corner. Panama have one shot but neither goalkeeper has been forced to make a save. The good news is the U.S. have had a lot of the ball, but they haven't done anything with it as Robinson does a Justin Tucker impression and drills a shot that would have been good, in the other football, from 40 yards.

[Oct 12, 2024 at 9:16 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

6' Good spell

Solid spell of possession for the U.S. as A. Robinson delivers a dangerous ball into the box, but it doesn't find anybody. The U.S. recover the ball and continue to look for space to exploit.

[Oct 12, 2024 at 9:11 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

1' Decent early look

The Americans control the ball early and get the ball down the left to A. Robinson, who comes close to the endline but can't get a ball across the face of goal as Panama survive the early chance.

[Oct 12, 2024 at 9:09 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Underway!

And the match has begun! Pochettino's reign as the USA coach begins in Austin!

[Oct 12, 2024 at 8:59 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Almost there

The game is nearly underway! 

[Oct 12, 2024 at 8:44 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

So what should you be looking for?

OK, so, it's Poch's first game with the U.S., and you are wondering what would make tonight a success, right? The result will mean very little. This is all about what is displayed on the pitch. Is their cohesiveness? Is there confidence? What are the vibes? I think you will see a team that has a formation that fluctuates, and it will be interesting to see the assigned roles that are given to these players. Interestingly, Aidan Morris gets the start in the middle, and he's somebody who could be looked at as the engine in the middle while Tyler Adams continues to deal with injuries.

[Oct 12, 2024 at 8:39 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Prediction

In what will be a gritty match, the USMNT will do just enough to secure a victory which will be a bright spot considering their recent form. Pick: USMNT 2, Panama 1

[Oct 12, 2024 at 8:25 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Storylines for USA

With only one win in their last seven matches, the team will need to show that they're ready to go to work under Pochettino. There are good feelings around their potential under the Argentine but those feelings will only last as long as the USMNT shows that they are ready to compete. Training has been intense so far and the off-halves that they've had recently won't be tolerated under Pochettino but it's still about how this team can respond under the new manager against a team that they should defeat.

[Oct 12, 2024 at 8:15 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

How to watch and odds

• Date: Saturday, Oct. 13 | Time: 9 p.m. ET
• Location: Q2 Stadium -- Austin, Texas
• TV: TNT, Universo  | Live stream: Fubo (Try for free)
• Odds: USMNT -215; Draw +290; Panama +550

[Oct 12, 2024 at 7:53 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Team news

And the first XI for the USMNT under Pochettino is in!

Turner; Robinson, Ream, McKenzie, Scally; Morris, Musah, Busio; Pulisic, Aaronson, Sargent.

[Oct 12, 2024 at 7:52 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Welcome!

Welcome in everybody! It's an exciting night for American soccer as Mauricio Pochettino makes his debut as coach of the U.S. men's national team as they take on Panama in an international friendly! I'm Roger Gonzalez, and I'll be providing live updates from the battle.