Panama stunned the United States 1-0 on Thursday night, securing a spot in the CONCACAF Nations League final with a late goal from Cecilio Waterman. The game was played at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Waterman, a 33-year-old striker who plays professionally in Chile, scored his 11th international goal in the fourth minute of second-half injury time to seal the win for Panama. The Panamanians advanced to face Mexico in the final on Sunday.
The U.S. team was without two key players, Sergiño Dest and Antonee Robinson, due to injuries. Despite having the better chances in the first half, they were unable to capitalize on their opportunities.
Coach Thomas Christiansen’s side played with “tactical discipline and order,” according to Christianesn, which ultimately paid off for Panama. The victory marked a major upset for the U.S., who had won the tournament three times previously.
The loss is a setback for new coach Mauricio Pochettino, who has yet to establish himself in the team. “I’m very disappointed because I don’t think we approached the game the right way,” Pochettino said. The U.S. will face Canada in the third-place match on Sunday and have their full player pool for just five training camps before the World Cup.
The win is a historic moment for Panama, who beat Costa Rica on the road last November in the Nations League quarterfinals. Waterman celebrated his goal with Thierry Henry, an Arsenal great, and hailed the victory as “incredible.”
Source: https://apnews.com/article/us-panama-score-6c0b7d6375accde75222c32c203ef178