Panama stun 'painful' USA to reach Nations League final
Cecilio Waterman scored a stoppage-time winner as Panama stunned defending champions the United States 1-0 to book their place in the CONCACAF Nations League final on Thursday.
In a shock result that came in Mauricio Pochettino's first competitive match in charge of the United States, Waterman slammed home a low angled finish in the fourth minute of stoppage time to send the holders crashing out at a half-empty SoFi Stadium.
The result sends Panama into Sunday's final, where they will face Mexico, who completed a clinical 2-0 victory over Canada in Thursday's other semi-final.
But the defeat sends US coach Pochettino back to the drawing board after a performance from the 2026 World Cup co-hosts that the Argentine described afterwards as "really painful."
"I am very, very disappointed," Pochettino said. "I could see that the way we approached the game and start wasn't in the right way.
"We didn't show aggression with the ball, we didn't show aggression in a defensive way...the first half was really painful," the former Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea coach added.
Despite dominating possession, the US struggled to break down a resilient Panama side for long periods.
Norwich striker Josh Sargent came closest to breaking the deadlock early on, his 19th-minute shot being deflected towards goal by Panama central defender Edgardo Farina.
The US failed to make the most of another opening two minutes later, Tim Weah picking out Weston McKennie with a curling cross to the back post only for the Juventus midfielder's header to be well-saved by Panama goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera.
The US thought the early spell of pressure had earned them a goal in the 25th minute when Sargent swept a low shot emphatically into the bottom corner, but it was flagged for offside.
Pochettino brought on striker Patrick Agyemang for Sargent and midfielder Jack McGlynn on for Tanner Tessman in the 67th minute, and the changes looked to have given the US more thrust.
Agyemang came agonizingly close to opening the scoring in the 82nd minute after latching on to McKennie's through ball, but his low shot was palmed away by Mosquera.
- 'Fought like crazy' -
Agyemang also went close two minutes from time, but miscued his shot from Christian Pulisic's low cross, scooping it over the bar.
Then with extra-time looming, disaster struck for the hosts. After the US gave the ball away cheaply in midfield, Panama midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla found an unmarked Waterman on the edge of the area.
The veteran striker took a touch and rifled home into the bottom corner before leaping into the stands and embracing former France star Thierry Henry, working as a pitchside commentator for the game.
Waterman later revealed in a postgame interview sitting alongside Henry that the Frenchman had been his childhood idol.
"Last night, they asked me who my childhood idol was, and I said Thierry Henry," Waterman told CBS television. "I scored, saw you, and knew I had to come say hi."
Panama's Danish coach Thomas Christiansen said his team's win was a reward for their fighting spirit.
"I am very happy for the players -- they all fought like crazy," Christiansen said afterwards.
The United States have now failed to beat Panama in their last three competitive meetings following an embarrassing 2-1 loss at last year's Copa America and a 1-1 draw at the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2023.
"The last three times that we faced Panama in an official competition we were not capable of beating them. Why?" Pochettino said. "I think that is a question mark -- but it's a question mark that we need to find the solution to together."
Pochettino and the US will now regroup to face Canada in Sunday's third place playoff game. The Canadians bowed out of the semi-finals on Thursday after two goals Mexico's veteran striker Raul Jimenez.
Jimenez fired Mexico into the lead in the first minute, bundling home a low finish after a defensive scramble on the edge of the penalty area, and then curled in a 75th-minute free-kick to seal victory for "El Tri".
rcw/bb
Topics
-
Panama stuns US 1-0 on Waterman's late goal, eliminating Americans from CONCACAF Nations League
Cecilio Waterman scored a stunning goal in the fourth minute of second-half injury time, and Panama beat the three-time defending champion United States 1-0 on Thursday night to reach the CONCACAF ...Yahoo Sports - 19h -
Panama ends USMNT's Nations League streak
A second-half stoppage time goal from Cecilio Waterman earned Panama a late 1-0 win over the United States in the semifinals of the Concacaf Nations League on Thursday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, ...ESPN - 17h -
🎥 Panama and Mexico to play NL final as USA and Canada silenced
The Concacaf Nations League semi-finals took place on Thursday, with the United States, Canada, Mexico and Panama vying for a spot in the final. Here is what went down. Jimenez the hero against ...Yahoo Sports - 15h -
USA vs. Panama: How to watch Concacaf Nations League Soccer, game time and more
How to watch the USMNT play Panama in the Nations League semi-finals this week.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Sargent's USA miss out on Nations League final
Norwich forward Josh Sargent plays for 68 minutes as his USA team are upset by Panama in their Concacaf Nations League semi-final.Yahoo Sports - 9h -
USMNT vs. Panama how to watch, odds, start time: Concacaf Nations League semi-final picks, prediction
Jon Eimer locked in his best bets for Thursday's USMNT vs. Panama Concacaf Nations League match in the semi-final round on Paramount+CBS Sports - 22h -
Panama stuns USMNT in Concacaf Nations League semifinals with last-minute goal
The U.S. men's national team simply cannot solve Panama, who came up with yet another win between the sides in Thursday's Nations League semifinals.Yahoo Sports - 16h -
Mauricio Pochettino and U.S. suffer big setback in Nations League loss to Panama
Mauricio Pochettino's first major test as U.S. men's soccer coach ends in disaster when Panama scores in stoppage time in a 1-0 win in the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals.Yahoo Sports - 19h -
Raúl Jiménez's brace sends Mexico past Canada 2-0, into the CONCACAF Nations League final vs Panama
Raúl Jiménez scored in the opening minute and again in the 75th, lifting Mexico into the CONCACAF Nations League final with a 2-0 victory over Canada on Thursday night. Jiménez, a 33-year-old ...Yahoo Sports - 15h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
QB Aaron Rodgers leaves Pittsburgh without a contract
Aaron Rodgers left Pittsburgh without a contract in place.Yahoo Sports - 36m -
QB Aaron Rodgers leaves Pittsburgh without a contract
Aaron Rodgers left Pittsburgh without a contract in place.Yahoo Sports - 36m -
Pitcher Julio Urías suspended through the All-Star break by MLB under domestic violence policy
Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Julio Urías was suspended through the All-Star break by Major League Baseball on Friday under its domestic violence policy with the players' association. Urías ...Yahoo Sports - 38m -
Pitcher Julio Urías suspended through the All-Star break by MLB under domestic violence policy
Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Julio Urías was suspended through the All-Star break by Major League Baseball on Friday under its domestic violence policy with the players' association. Urías ...Yahoo Sports - 38m -
England vs Albania LIVE: Thomas Tuchel takes charge of first game at Wembley
The Three Lions begin their journey under Tuchel as qualifying for the 2026 World Cup gets underwayYahoo Sports - 39m
More in Sports
-
QB Aaron Rodgers leaves Pittsburgh without a contract
Aaron Rodgers left Pittsburgh without a contract in place.Yahoo Sports - 36m -
QB Aaron Rodgers leaves Pittsburgh without a contract
Aaron Rodgers left Pittsburgh without a contract in place.Yahoo Sports - 36m -
Pitcher Julio Urías suspended through the All-Star break by MLB under domestic violence policy
Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Julio Urías was suspended through the All-Star break by Major League Baseball on Friday under its domestic violence policy with the players' association. Urías ...Yahoo Sports - 38m -
Pitcher Julio Urías suspended through the All-Star break by MLB under domestic violence policy
Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Julio Urías was suspended through the All-Star break by Major League Baseball on Friday under its domestic violence policy with the players' association. Urías ...Yahoo Sports - 38m -
England vs Albania LIVE: Thomas Tuchel takes charge of first game at Wembley
The Three Lions begin their journey under Tuchel as qualifying for the 2026 World Cup gets underwayYahoo Sports - 39m