The United States’ bid for a fourth consecutive CONCACAF Nations League title got here to a shocking finish as they fell 1-0 to Panama after a stoppage-time aim from Cecilio Waterman on Thursday (March 21, 2025) in Inglewood, California.
Panama spent the majority of the match defending however pounced on a giveaway by the Americans earlier than substitute ahead Waterman despatched a shot from the correct facet of the realm to the underside left nook late in stoppage time.
Up subsequent for Panama in Sunday’s final might be Mexico, who beat Canada 2-0 in California.
Raul Jimenez fired residence from the centre of the field inside the primary minute earlier than sealing the win within the seventy fifth minute from a free kick after Stephen Eustaquio fouled Santiago Gimenez.
Massive blow earlier than World Cup
For the U.S., their newest loss to Panama is an enormous blow as their solely likelihood to gather silverware earlier than co-hosting the 2026 World Cup with Mexico and Canada now rests with the June 14-July 6 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
The U.S. got here into the sport hoping to avenge a loss to Panama ultimately yr’s Copa America the place the hosts failed to reach the knockout stage, a humiliating outcome that led to the firing of head coach Gregg Berhalter.
After a considerably tentative begin on Thursday the U.S. loved a quick stretch the place they threatened Panama, practically scoring twice whereas one other likelihood was squandered by an offside name simply previous the halfway mark of a scoreless first half.
Josh Sargent practically opened the scoring within the nineteenth minute when he obtained free in entrance of the Panama aim from the place his shot hit a defender after which the publish earlier than being cleared.
Moments later Weston McKennie delivered a robust header from the again publish after an excellent cross from Timothy Weah however Panama goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera was in excellent place to make the save.
Sargent then discovered the again of the Panama internet however Weah was clearly offside within the buildup and the linesman’s flag went up instantly after the ball crossed the aim line.
The U.S. had a number of probabilities within the latter portion of the sport because the toll of defending all night time appeared to sap the Panama gamers’ energy and left them unable to generate a lot in the way in which of an assault till the late turnover.
The U.S. stay the one crew to win the CONCACAF Nations League – which launched in 2019 and is modeled after its UEFA counterpart – having triumphed in 2021, 2023 and 2024.
Published – March 21, 2025 10:39 am IST
