The Concacaf Nations League semifinals are here and the US Men’s National Team (USMNT) is one victory away from reaching their fourth consecutive final with an opportunity to claim their inaugural trophy under Coach Mauricio Pochettino. However, the task of overcoming Panama this Thursday at SoFi Stadium won’t be straightforward. The last face-off between the two teams resulted in a 2-0 victory for the USMNT in a friendly held in Austin in 2024, though Panama has troubled the US team in previous meetings, even defeating them in Copa America.
Concerns about injuries linger as they will miss key players like Antonee Robinson, but the return of Tyler Adams offers depth to the squad.
Despite confidence building, this will be Pochettino’s first camp with several players as preparations ramp up for the 2026 World Cup. Examining strengths and weaknesses will be crucial, particularly in the absence of Robinson. During this period, Pochettino will gauge which players he can rely on and identify areas needing improvement as the Gold Cup approaches. Recently, the USMNT has shown dominance in Concacaf, but a single home defeat to Panama out of their last 30 matches serves as a reminder of the potential for upsets.
Panama, on the rise under Thomas Christensen, is regarded as the fourth-best team in Concacaf since 2020. With Carrasquilla efficiently controlling midfield, and Godoy providing defensive solidity, the stakes are high for the upcoming match.
How to Watch and Odds
- Date: Thursday, March 20 | Time: 7:00 PM ET
- 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
Prediction
Even with absentees, the USMNT is favored to win at home as a distinctive style under Pochettino comes into focus. Pick: United States 2, Panama 0
