SOCCER · 1 year ago

5 Things We Learned from USMNT’s Loss to Panama on Thursday

David Connelly

Host · Writer

The Knockouts Start Early for the U.S.
It's a simple way of looking at it for the Americans going forward. Monday night is just an extension of the knockout stage. It was only a matter of time before they would be faced with a South American giant, and now the chips are all in to get all three points. If this team wants to be taken seriously in the future and heading into the 2026 World Cup, a victory over Uruguay would go a long way.
The Team Must Learn and Mature
The United States played right into the hands of Panama's game plan. There is a lengthy history of the nation being a physical squad, utilizing tactical fouls and aggressive play to test the mental fortitude of their opponents. It worked, as U.S. players were aggravated throughout the match, which helped lead to the early red card given to Tim Weah. When you have talent like the U.S. does, it's vital to be mature and refuse to stoop to your opponent's level. Let Thursday night be a lesson learned.
Folarin Balogun May Be the Answer at Striker
Folarin Balogun found himself on the scoresheet again after a brilliant strike just minutes after losing Weah to a red. Following a gorgeous give-and-go with Antonee Robinson, Balogun cracked it on his right foot and kissed it off the far post into the back of the net. It was all for naught, but he has the quality required at the top to be a regular starter within the side. He is undoubtedly leading the race against Ricardo Pepi for the starting gig.
Ethan Horvath Must Be Ready to Be Next Man Up
To make matters worse, Matt Turner's injury now leaves the United States potentially without its starting goalkeeper ahead of the match against Uruguay. He was average upon entering the halftime match against Panama, and he had a real chance to save the game-winning goal for the Panamanians, a strike he got his hands on. He will need to put in a massive performance to keep Darwin Nunez and his nation at bay on Monday.
Gregg Berhalter Will Coach for His Job vs. Uruguay
For most of his tenure with the United States, there has been clamoring for Gregg Berhalter to lose his job. That now feels like a genuine possibility should they fail to advance out of the group stage on Monday night. Falling short to Panama in a competition where there is loads of opportunity to play top-tier countries would be a massive shortcoming for the nation. It's on Berhalter to have the team ready to make a statement against Uruguay.
The Knockouts Start Early for the U.S.
It's a simple way of looking at it for the Americans going forward. Monday night is just an extension of the knockout stage. It was only a matter of time before they would be faced with a South American giant, and now the chips are all in to get all three points. If this team wants to be taken seriously in the future and heading into the 2026 World Cup, a victory over Uruguay would go a long way.
The Team Must Learn and Mature
The United States played right into the hands of Panama's game plan. There is a lengthy history of the nation being a physical squad, utilizing tactical fouls and aggressive play to test the mental fortitude of their opponents. It worked, as U.S. players were aggravated throughout the match, which helped lead to the early red card given to Tim Weah. When you have talent like the U.S. does, it's vital to be mature and refuse to stoop to your opponent's level. Let Thursday night be a lesson learned.

5 Things We Learned from USMNT’s Loss to Panama on Thursday

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