The United States men’s national soccer team is set to compete in the Concacaf Nations League semifinals, aiming for their fourth consecutive final appearance and their first trophy under coach Mauricio Pochettino. Their opponent, Panama, stands in their way in a match at SoFi Stadium.
The two teams recently played a friendly in 2024, which the USMNT won 2-0. Historically, matches between these nations have been competitive, including a past victory for Panama against the United States in Copa America.
Despite missing key player Antonee Robinson due to injury, the USMNT receives a boost with the return of Tyler Adams. Adams’ presence adds depth to the midfield, offering Pochettino more tactical flexibility.
This camp is significant for Pochettino as he evaluates numerous players in preparation for the 2026 World Cup. The absence of players like Robinson provides an opportunity to assess the team’s depth and identify areas needing reinforcement before the Gold Cup. While the USMNT has generally been dominant in Concacaf at home, Panama was the team to inflict a home defeat within their last 30 matches.
Panama, under Thomas Christensen, has emerged as a strong contender in Concacaf. Their midfield, featuring Adalberto Carrasquilla and Anibal Godoy, is capable of controlling the game’s tempo, making the midfield battle crucial for the outcome.
Match Details
- Match: Thursday, March 20
- Location: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
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
Match Prediction
Despite some player absences, the USMNT is expected to win at home as Pochettino’s tactical approach becomes clearer. Prediction: United States 2, Panama 0
Dominic Ashworth