U.S. Men’s National Team Faces Panama in Crucial Nations League Semifinal

CHICAGO (March 19, 2025) — The U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) is set to take on Panama in the Concacaf Nations League semifinal on March 20, 2025, at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

The match will kick off at 7 p.m. ET and is available for viewing on Paramount+, Univision, and Fútbol de Primera Radio. Fans can also follow live updates via U.S. Soccer’s social media platforms.

This semifinal marks the USMNT’s first match at the newly opened SoFi Stadium, which hosts up to 70,240 spectators. The team seeks to secure its fourth consecutive Nations League title after winning the championship in 2021, 2023, and 2024.

“We respect Panama but we are focused on extending our dominance in the tournament,” said USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who could secure his first trophy with the team since taking over in September 2024.

To reach this critical stage, the U.S. edged Jamaica in the quarterfinals with a 4-2 aggregate victory. They boast an impressive all-time record in the Nations League, standing at 15 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw. This will be the first match between the U.S. and Panama in the tournament.

In their prior meetings, the U.S. has a 18W-3L-7D overall record against Panama. However, the Americans have seen their opponents cause significant upsets in recent encounters, including a 2-1 loss in the group stage of the 2024 Copa América.

Panama enters the semifinal after coming through their quarterfinal against Costa Rica, winning 3-2 on aggregate. Coach Thomas Christiansen’s squad encountered woes with injuries, missing key players such as Michael Murillo and Édgar Bárcenas.

“Despite our challenges, our team has shown resilience,” Christiansen said ahead of the match. “We are ready to fight for every ball and prove ourselves on this stage.”

Games in the Nations League have shown that the U.S. is formidable at home, with a flawless record on their soil in the tournament’s history. Christian Pulisic has emerged as a key player for the U.S., netting 32 senior international goals, with multiple goals scored against Panama in past encounters.

Missing from the U.S. squad this time due to injury are Ricardo Pepi and Johnny Cardoso, alongside Folarin Balogun, who has just returned from injury but was not included in the lineup.

Kickoff for this exciting showdown is set for 7 p.m. This match will not only be crucial for both teams’ hopes of competing at a high level but will also serve as a significant preparation step ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the U.S. will co-host.