The United States men’s national soccer team is set to compete against Panama in the Concacaf Nations League semifinal, aiming for their fourth consecutive final appearance and the first trophy under coach Mauricio Pochettino. Despite a recent friendly win against Panama, the USMNT anticipates a challenging match at SoFi Stadium. Historically, Panama has proven to be a tough opponent, even defeating the United States in Copa America.
While the US team faces injury concerns, including the absence of key player Antonee Robinson, the return of Tyler Adams provides a significant boost, especially in midfield. This match is crucial for Pochettino to assess his squad depth and strategies ahead of the 2026 World Cup. He will be evaluating various players, identifying their strengths and weaknesses, particularly in the absence of regular starters like Robinson.
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 battleground critical for both teams. While the USMNT has generally dominated Concacaf at home, one of their few home defeats in recent times was against Panama, highlighting the potential challenge.
Experts predict the USMNT will secure a victory on home soil, continuing to develop their style under Pochettino’s guidance.
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
Pick: United States 2, Panama 0
Adrian Whitmore