The United States men’s national soccer team, managed by Mauricio Pochettino, is set to face Panama in Austin, Texas, with high hopes for the match. Although key players like Folarin Balogun, Gio Reyna, Tim Weah, and Tyler Adams are absent from this camp, it opens the door for other players to shine, including Josh Sargent, who is in strong form with Norwich City. Sargent’s creativity in play is expected to complement Christian Pulisic, who has been performing exceptionally well.
Pochettino praised Pulisic as “one of the best offensive players in the world” during his pre-match press conference. Pulisic has been a standout for AC Milan, recording six goals and two assists across all competitions. Despite a decrease in his shot attempts from 2.23 to 1.80 per 90 minutes, his goal-scoring efficiency has significantly increased, nearly doubling his expected goals per 90 minutes from 0.28 to 0.52. The big question now is whether he can replicate this performance for the national team.
The USMNT is expected to face challenging defensive setups, and Pulisic will need to navigate through these obstacles. As defenders become more focused on stopping him in Serie A, maintaining his scoring consistency during this international break will be essential.
The match details are as follows:
Date: Saturday, Oct. 13 | Time: 9 p.m. ET
Location: Q2 Stadium, Austin, Texas
TV: TNT | Live stream: Fubo (Free trial available)
Odds: USMNT -215; Draw +290; Panama +550
Currently, the USMNT has only one win in their last seven matches and needs to demonstrate readiness for competition under Pochettino. Positive sentiments surround the team’s potential, but sustaining those emotions hinges on their performance. Intense training sessions have been a focus, and the team’s recent lackluster showing cannot be overlooked as they prepare to face a team they are favored to beat.
Predicted USMNT lineup: Zack Steffen, Marlon Fossey, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson, Aidan Morris, Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, Malik Tillman, Christian Pulisic, Josh Sargent.
On the other hand, Panama aims to rebound from a disappointing Copa America where they suffered a 5-0 defeat to Colombia. They previously upset the USMNT in the same tournament, highlighting a potential challenge. Thomas Christiansen has improved the team significantly, but he faces a tough task in outmaneuvering Pochettino’s squad.
In what promises to be a competitive match, the USMNT is expected to secure a narrow victory. Prediction: USMNT 2, Panama 1.