Mauricio Pochettino began his tenure as US men’s national team manager with a win on Saturday night as the Americans beat Panama 2-0 in a home friendly.
Midfielder Yunus Musah notched the lone goal in front of the crowd in Austin, Texas, with his AC Milan teamate Christian Pulisic supplying the assist with a cross from the left.
Panama actually outshot the US 13-11 and came close to scoring on a few occasions, namely inside the 52nd minute when goalkeeper Matt Turner was forced into a tremendous double save.
Ultimately, though, the visitors were unable to equalize and Ricardo Pepi sealed things up with a close-range finish deep into second half stoppage time.
‘We’re starting to learn the new coach’s ideas and whatnot, that we executed pretty well,’ Antonee Robinson said after the game to TNT.
USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino talks with Christian Pulisic during the first half against Panama
Yunus Musah (center) was delighted to score his first USA goal in his 42nd appearance
‘We had more chances [that we could have] put away if we were a bit more clinical, but other than that I think the team stuck to the job well.
They’ll face Mexico away from home on Tuesday.
Pochettino opted for a blend of youth and experience in the starting XI, with 37-year-old Tim Ream occupying one of the center back spots and core players in Pulisic, Robinson.
However, he also opted to play 22-year-olds Gianluca Busio and Aidan Morris in the middle, giving them just their 13th and seventh caps respectively.
Notably, mainstay Weston McKennie was also an unused substitute.
More to follow
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