October 14 – Mauricio Pochettino made a successful debut in charge of the United States as he led them to a 2-0 friendly win over Panama on Saturday.
In June the US lost to Panama in the 2024 Copa America finals having also lost to them in the semi-finals of the Concacaf Gold Cup in 2023.
Pochettino, who left Chelsea in May after one season in charge, was appointed last month to replace Gregg Berhalter, following the latter’s dismissal after a humiliating early exit from the 2024 Copa America.
For all the fascination with Pochettino’s team selection and tactics for his opening game in charge, perhaps the most significant evidence of the Argentine’s impact came when his team zipped the ball around with intent and purpose, prompting speculation that the team looked to be playing with the freedom they had shown on their way to winning the 2023 Nations League, a tournament that seemed to have marked an epiphany in US men’s football but which was soon bottled back up again once Berhalter returned,
With expectation for the USA limited to a last eight target at the 2026 World Cup which the US is co-hosting, coaching the USA should be one of football management’s easier jobs despite the team having only won once in their last seven games, all on home soil , the mostly miserable sequence the USA has suffered in recent seasons.
But there was no sign of fear as they strolled past Panama.
“When he tells guys to go out and be themselves, you know, it’s a sign that he has confidence in you and you can see that come out with all the guys,” said 37-year-old captain Tim Ream.
“I think the feeling in the locker room was there even before the game. Guys were confident in what we were doing and what we were going to do.”
It was by no means a perfect display and Panama, who have forced themselves into the top four band of nations in Concacaf, displacing Costa Rica, had enough chances to have claimed at least a draw.
But Pochettino, who had been greeted with a portrait of his face displayed on a banner behind the goal where supporter groups had gathered, was impressed with the response after less than a week of being with his new squad.
“After a few days training with the team, I think it’s amazing the way that we were focused and concentrated and tried to follow the plan,” he said.
“It was a very professional performance, I think it’s the basis for the first step to start to grow and get better.”
Pochettino was especially pleased to have seen his team cope with spells when their possession game wasn’t so effective and Panama gained the upper hand.
“I think we have shown that we have been able to compete in all phases of the game. When at some point in the second half we had to defend low, we competed very well, I’m very happy in that regard.
“There are things, of course, many things to improve, to correct, but this is the beginning of a process that has to arrive in 2026 at the World Cup in the best condition.”
The first real test comes on Tuesday when the USA travel to take on old rivals Mexico in Guadalajara.
“It’s going to be a complicated game because Mexico is a great team, the rivalry is there. They have also changed coach and will be full of motivation,” said Pochettino.
“It’s going to be a great experience for many young players to be able to feel the competition and what it is like in an environment that will surely be against us.”
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