The United States men’s national soccer team is gearing up for the Concacaf Nations League semifinals, aiming for their fourth consecutive final appearance and their first trophy under coach Mauricio Pochettino. Their journey continues with a match against Panama at SoFi Stadium on Thursday. While the USMNT defeated Panama 2-0 in a recent friendly in Austin in 2024, history shows a competitive rivalry, including a past victory for Panama against the United States in Copa America.
Despite the notable absence of Antonee Robinson due to injury, the USMNT receives a boost with the return of Tyler Adams. Adams’ presence strengthens the midfield, providing Pochettino with more tactical flexibility.
This camp marks the beginning of Pochettino’s tenure with several players. As preparations for the 2026 World Cup intensify, Pochettino will use this opportunity to evaluate player capabilities, especially in the absence of Robinson. This tournament will be crucial for assessing squad depth and identifying areas for improvement before the Gold Cup. Although the USMNT has generally dominated Concacaf at home, one of their few home defeats in the last 30 games was against Panama.
Panama, under Thomas Christensen’s guidance, has risen to become a strong fourth team in Concacaf since 2020. With Adalberto Carrasquilla and Anibal Godoy controlling the midfield, Panama possesses the ability to dictate the game’s tempo and challenge the USMNT in a critical area of the field.
How to Watch
- Date: Thursday, March 20
- Location: SoFi Stadium — Inglewood, California
- TV: CBS Sports Golazo | Live stream: Paramount+
- Odds: United States -350; Draw +390; Panama +850
Predicted Lineups
USMNT Predicted XI: Matt Turner, Max Arfsten, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Joe Scally, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Tim Weah, Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, Josh Sargent
Panama Predicted XI: Orlando Mosquera, Roderick Miller, Edgardo Farina, Jose Cordoba, Cesar Blackmon, Adalberto Carrasquilla, Anibal Godoy, Michael Murillo, Jose Fajardo, Tomas Rodriguez, Yoel Barcemas
Game Prediction
Despite some player absences, the USMNT is expected to secure a home victory as Pochettino’s tactical approach takes shape. Prediction: United States 2, Panama 0
