Mauricio Pochettino made a winning start to his tenure as the United States manager with a 2-0 victory over Panama in Austin, Texas.
The breakthrough came in the second half when AC Milan midfielder Yunus Musah found the back of the net, followed by a late goal from PSV striker Ricardo Pepi to secure the win.
Pochettino opted to start with experienced international goalkeeper Matt Turner, who is currently on loan at Crystal Palace from Nottingham Forest. Turner, despite not having played this season, impressed with two key saves during the match.
Reflecting on the performance, Pochettino said, “After just a few days of training, the team showed great focus and concentration, sticking to the plan. It was a professional performance and a solid first step in the process of growing and improving.”
The Argentine coach, who previously managed Southampton, Tottenham, and Chelsea, acknowledged there is room for improvement but emphasized the importance of winning. “When you win, it makes it easier to correct mistakes and improve, and this is just the beginning. We want to arrive at the 2026 World Cup in the best possible condition.”
Pochettino was appointed in September after the dismissal of Gregg Berhalter, who was sacked following the United States’ early exit from the Copa America. Berhalter’s tenure ended after a 2-1 group-stage defeat to Panama.
The United States, ranked 18th in the world, will co-host the 2026 World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico. Their next match is a friendly against Mexico on Tuesday in Guadalajara.