Head coach of the US, Mauricio Pochettino, was visibly frustrated after the 1-0 defeat of his team at home at Panama in the semi-final of the Concacaf Nations League on Thursday.
Cecilio Waterman yielded the winning goal in the 94th minute to forward visitors and break home fans at the Sofi Stadium, with the hosts who applied an old performance.
“We are the US. You can't win with your shirt, or you can't win if you play here, there or I don't know. You have to show it, and you have to come here and be better and win the duels and work hard,” Pochettino said after the game.
“If not, it won't be enough.”
The US had two -thirds of the ball, but only generated 0.68 xg of their five shots on goal during the game, with only one of that in the first half.
The hosts are struggling to get a foothold in the game from an attacking perspective and it was that what Pochettino disappointed.
“The way we approach the game and start the game was not the right way,” he said.
“That's why I feel so disappointed and we all feel disappointed. I think we played too slowly in the first half, so comfortably on the field. We didn't show an aggression with the ball.”
Visitors Panama were comfortable to allow the US the ball, which had little remarkable to defend.
In the meantime, their winning goal came out of their only shot at the goal of the entire game.
37-166 -On 37, 166 days old, Tim Ream is the oldest outfield player who starts a competitive game for the #USMNT since Fernando Clavijo in the round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup 1994 (38 years, 162 days). Timeless. pic.twitter.com/g6lcjashlz
– Optajack (@Optajack) March 20, 2025
“We never expect to admit at the moment,” said Pochettino.
“That's the truth, but [I] agree. We thought to give the option to play Gio [Reyna] and Diego [Luna[, but for sure they’re going to have the opportunity [next match]. “
“If you don't have aggression, it's impossible because the opponent, [they] Know that we are going to play in our feet. You are going to play safely, you are not going to take a risk.
“If you want to play football, you have to take risks, you have to go on, you have to win duels, somewhere 50-50. That's my goal.”
USA Captain Tim Ream agreed with the assessment of the game by his coach, on the day he became the oldest outfield player who started a competitive game for his country since the 1994 World Cup.
The 37-year-old echoed the frustration of all corners, after he had admitted the only chance that the defense had to do with.
“One shot on goal, one goal,” he said.
“We tried and tried it and clearly did not get our own goal. They leaned back and we struggled to break them down and find out and get many clear opportunities.
“We still had enough to win the game, but they are a tough opponent when they are behind the ball … and for us we have found no way to break it down.”
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