Why USA soccer’s upset loss to Panama doesn’t spell complete doom for the USMNT ahead of World Cup

Losing Panama again in a competitive match Is a sign of concern for the national team of the United States, but it is also not a moment that they are doomed to the World Cup 2026. Even when it comes to preparing the world cup, they will compete against Mexico or Canada in third place in the Nations League, making it a much larger affair than the average game of third place.

Mauricio Pochettino acknowledged that there is still a lot of work to do, whereby errors list, such as lack of urgent, long shooting and intensity, but briefly covered.

“This responsibility is the responsibility of everyone and we must find a way to compete better and that is it,” said Pochettino.

This team must perform better and they get a chance on Sunday to show that improvement or changes can come to the team prior to the Gold Cup. Pochettino has previously talked about trust in the team, both in the confidence of the team itself, but also that he can trust players and what they will do individually. It is clear that players such as Patrick Ageymang and Jack McMlynn have imposed that confidence during the January camp, while others still have work to do to earn it.

Prior to the World Cup, Pochettino has to be able to tell the strengths and weaknesses of his entire team and losses as they know for Panama, what should be improved than victories, but let’s look at a few reasons why the USMNT still has a lot of hope:

This is another team with Antonee Robinson and Folarin Balogun

After Christian Pulisic, Antonee Robinson has demonstrably become the second most important player of the USMNT. The Fulham man is able to offer defensive deception while also participating in the attack and steps into midfield when needed. There are not many fullbacks in the world that can do which Robinson is capable of and a lot has been lost on the left with Joe Scally who operated back between a third center and operated as left. Of course there are worries that Robinson has no real backup, but even the number two left behind – start immediately back Sergino Dest – was not in this camp. With both on the field this is a completely different side. With both (Dest just returned from an injury), they were missed.

The USMNT would like to have more depth, but that happens not only at night and if a member of the core misses, it creates a void that cannot be filled without changing the system. Things that constantly chop and change is not sustainable for a team of the level of the USMNT. Folarin Balogun was also a big miss that led the line, because even when he does not touch the ball, his movement pulls players out of position to create space for the rest of the attack.

Most teams would struggle with their third choice that is left behind and striker in a match, but the knock-on effect of both makes it a tough balance.

There is still time

Time works in a few different ways. On the one hand it is less than 500 days to the World Cup, and that can be a time to panic. But there are 500 days until the World Cup, so there is time for growth, for players to move to new teams and challenge themselves and also for Pochettino to be more ingrained in American football. He has learned a lot in a short time since taking over in October 2024 and will continue to suck as much as possible in the remaining days between now and the World Cup. The players will also learn what he wants from them or end up on the edge of the team. Dest and other players will return to the team and must help alone.

If these problems still pop up later in 2025, concern will grow, but there is a lot for the USMNT to learn and an excellent finish from a Panamanes attacker cannot undo the good defensive work that the team did in this competition. If Sargent’s shot enters instead of touching the mail, it is another match, where perspective is important.

Competition is the key

If the USMNT won or lost this match, they would be confronted with Canada or Mexico and that is still the case. Competition is what makes the team of it and although things can mean more with a trophy at stake, if the players need a trophy to motivate themselves under Pochettino, it makes no sense to even increase expectations for the World Cup. Already confronted with Türkiye and Switzerland in the summer prior to Gold Cup game, the USMNT are planning the best competitions they can do now. Teams will still take competitive squadrons to face the USMNT and there will be enough to learn from those competitions.

As long as they plan friendly competitions at a high level and world cup distances, there will be no shortages of challenges, and the Gold Cup can also have a stronger team than normal, because it is the last competitive set of competitions before the World Cup. Although the loss will poke for the fan base, it is better that it happens now and serves as a learning experience for what is to come.