Mauricio Pochettino, head coach of the United States men's national soccer team, expressed his deep frustration after his side suffered a dramatic 1-0 loss to Panama in the CONCACAF Nations League semifinal. The defeat came in heartbreaking fashion, as Panama scored in the final minute of stoppage time to seal their place in the final.
The decisive moment occurred when substitute forward Cecilio Waterman found the back of the net in the fourth minute of added time. Despite the United States dominating possession with 66% and creating several chances, they were unable to break through Panama's resolute defense.
Reflecting on the result, Pochettino acknowledged the team's lack of decisiveness and aggressiveness throughout the match. The loss marked a significant setback for the Argentine coach, who had urged patience as he worked to build a cohesive and competitive squad since taking charge.
Panama's victory means they will advance to the final, where they will face Mexico, who triumphed 2-0 over Canada in the other semifinal. The United States, meanwhile, will compete against Canada in the third-place playoff as they aim to salvage some pride from the tournament.
This disappointing outcome highlights the challenges Pochettino faces as he prepares the team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the United States will co-host. As the team regroups, Pochettino will be keen to address the shortcomings exposed in the semifinal loss and motivate his players to perform better in future competitions.
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