USMNT humiliated by Panama in front of a near-empty SoFi Stadium 14 months before they host the World Cup
The USMNT suffered a humiliating 1-0 loss to Panama on Thursday night in front of a largely empty SoFi Stadium just 14 months before they host the World Cup.
There were thousands of empty seats for the game in Los Angeles, which bizarrely kicked off at 4pm local time, at the home of the NFL's Rams and Chargers.
Most worrying for the USMNT is that SoFi Stadium will host two of their group stage games at next year's World Cup.
But Mauricio Pochettino will be more concerned by what his team served up on the field - a performance described by former player Herculez Gomez as 'pathetic'.
They were beaten by a stoppage-time winner from Panama's Cecilio Waterman in the semi-finals of the Concacaf Nations League.
Waterman, a 33-year-old striker who plays professionally in Chile, ripped off his jersey and hurdled the advertising end boards before jumping onto a broadcast stage to celebrate with French great Thierry Henry.
Cecilio Waterman scored as the USMNT suffered a humiliating 1-0 loss to Panama on Thursday
Christian Pulisic watches on as the US suffered a sobering loss 14 months from the World Cup
Pictures taken from inside SoFi Stadium show the iconic area to be largely empty at kick off
Speaking afterwards, Waterman said: 'Last night, they asked me who my childhood idol was, and I said Thierry Henry… I scored, saw you, and knew I had to come say hi.'
Panama beat the U.S. for the third straight time in competitive matches following wins in a 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal and the group stage of last year´s Copa America.
It was a big stumble for Pochettino, who replaced Gregg Berhalter after the Americans' first-round exit at the Copa America.
After Sunday´s third-place match against Canada of Mexico, Pochettino will have his full player pool for just five training camps before the team gathers ahead of the World Cup.
The Americans, missing full backs Sergino Dest and Antonee Robinson because of injuries, nearly tied it in the eighth minute of injury time but Tyler Adams couldn't convert Christian Pulisic's cross.
Adams returned to the national team for the first time since the Copa America after recovering from back surgery.
Panama earned one of the biggest wins in its soccer history at the same stadium where they lost the 2023 Gold Cup final to Mexico.
USMNT managed Mauricio Pochettino has much work to do 14 months before the World Cup
For the first time, the CONCACAF Nations League trophy won't stay in the U.S. The Americans won the first three editions of this tournament, which only began in 2019.
The Americans had the best chances in the first half, but came up empty.
Josh Sargent struck the post in the 19th minute, and Weston McKennie's header moments later went straight to the keeper.
Sargent then scored in the 24th minute, but the U.S. was ruled offside in the buildup several seconds earlier. He hasn't scored for the U.S. in five-and-a-half years.
