USMNT Faces Growing Concerns After CNL Semifinal Loss to Panama

LOS ÁNGELES – The United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) is reeling after a 1-0 defeat against Panama in the semifinals of the Concacaf Nations League (CNL) on Thursday. This loss raises serious concerns about the team’s readiness for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Under the stewardship of head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who took over in September 2024, the USMNT has shown flashes of the talent expected from them. However, the semifinal exit has highlighted persistent issues, particularly their lack of aggression at the start of matches, which hampers their ability to penetrate well-organized defenses.

Panama has proven to be a tough opponent, having defeated the USMNT in three consecutive official matches. The defeat on Thursday led to questions regarding how the team can survive the group stage in the World Cup if they cannot consistently overcome teams like the Canaleros.

With only 447 days until the World Cup, the time for Pochettino to rectify the team’s shortcomings is limited. The upcoming Gold Cup, which serves as the team’s only official games before the World Cup, becomes increasingly crucial. The tournament presents an opportunity for Pochettino to deepen his understanding of the players ahead of crucial matchups.

The team is also slated for friendly matches against Turkey and Switzerland, expected to mirror World Cup conditions. The hope is that these experiences will better prepare the players for high-pressure situations, although the participation of several key players in the Club World Cup complicates matters. Notably, Giovanni Reyna from Borussia Dortmund and others may miss the Gold Cup if their clubs continue to be involved in international competitions.

After the CNL, there are only four international windows remaining—September, October, and November of 2025, along with another in March 2026—and a few friendlies scheduled before the World Cup. Time is running short to make necessary adjustments.

The USMNT struggled offensively against Panama, managing 811 touches during the game—the 11th instance of over 800 touches since September 2017. However, their expected goals (xG) were only 0.68, marking the first time in that span where more than 800 touches resulted in an xG below 1.00. This statistic underscores the team’s inability to create high-quality scoring chances despite having possession.

The return of injured players would greatly aid the team’s efforts. Defender Sergiño Dest, who recently returned after an 11-month recovery from an ACL tear, is a critical element in the attack, as his ability to advance the ball can create opportunities. The absence of Anthony Robinson on the left flank also impacted the squad against Panama. While Joe Scally has played effectively defensively, he lacks the offensive contributions expected from a full-back in Dest’s absence.

The forward line remains hindered by injuries, lacking the sharpness needed to combine effectively. The depth of the USMNT lineup has come into question, particularly following the disappointing performance against Panama. Pochettino may need to adopt a more aggressive lineup to counter teams that bunker defensively.

The coach cited a “lack of aggression” as a significant issue during the first half, which he characterized as “painful” to witness. The team’s 32 touches in the Panama penalty area only rank 12th in the last 35 games for the USMNT, with just nine occurring in the first half. Following an adjustment that allowed Tim Weah to spread out more in the second half, the team showed improvement.

However, instilling a competitive edge may prove challenging for Pochettino. He acknowledged the need for players to step up and be accountable for their growth while blending new talent into the lineup. “We always learn more from setbacks than we do from victories that help hide the issues we face,” said USMNT defender Walker Zimmerman. “Every match, every training session, is an opportunity to learn and analyze.”

As the USMNT prepares for a third-place playoff against a motivated Canada side on Sunday, they must implement these lessons learned from the recent defeat. With potential adjustments to the starting XI to enhance chemistry and foster competition for playing time, the changes must be measured. Goalkeeper Zach Steffen may see more action following a questionable positioning during the decisive goal against Panama, while Reyna or another creative midfielder might replace Tessmann.

While this loss signals an urgent need for improvement, there are still opportunities ahead. As the clock ticks down to the World Cup, fans of the USMNT will be looking for signs of progress in the coming months.