The moment has arrived for the United States men’s national soccer team to take the field under the guidance of Mauricio Pochettino. They will face Panama in Austin, Texas, amid rising expectations. Although key players such as Folarin Balogun, Gio Reyna, Tim Weah, and Tyler Adams may not be part of this camp, this opens the door for other players to shine and make an impression on their new manager. One such player is Josh Sargent, who is in good form with Norwich City and has added creativity to his game, a development that aligns well with Christian Pulisic’s playing style.
Pochettino praised Pulisic in his pre-match press conference, calling him “a fantastic player, one of the best offensive players in the world.” Pulisic’s performance with AC Milan backs up that statement, as he has scored six goals and provided two assists across all competitions, making him a vital player for the team. Interestingly, Pulisic has not increased his shot frequency this season; instead, he has become more efficient with his chances. His shots per game dropped from 2.23 to 1.80, yet his expected goals per 90 minutes have nearly doubled from 0.28 to 0.52. His goal-scoring rate also rose from 0.41 to 0.82 per 90 minutes. The key question now is whether he can transfer this effectiveness to the national team.
The USMNT will face numerous tightly organized defenses, and it will be crucial for Pulisic to navigate through them successfully. As Serie A teams increasingly focus on containing him, Pulisic has proven capable of getting quality shots off, a skill he will need to maintain during this international fixture.
Key Details and Viewing Information:
– 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
Storylines:
For the USMNT, with only one win in their past seven matches, the team must demonstrate their readiness to perform under Pochettino’s leadership. There’s an optimistic buzz surrounding their potential under the Argentine coach, but this optimism hinges on the team’s readiness to compete. Training sessions have been intense, and issues regarding subpar performances in recent matches won’t be tolerated. How the squad responds against an opponent they are expected to beat will be telling.
Projected USMNT Lineup: Zack Steffen, Marlon Fossey, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson, Aidan Morris, Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, Malik Tillman, Christian Pulisic, Josh Sargent.
Panama enters this match with notable improvement, eager to overcome their previous Copa America disappointment, where they suffered a 5-0 defeat to Colombia. They managed to beat the USMNT during the group stage of that tournament, which propelled them into the knockout rounds. However, the USMNT squad they will face this time will be significantly different from the one that lost in Copa America. Under Thomas Christiansen’s leadership, Panama has made considerable strides, but they will face a tough challenge against Pochettino’s side.
Prediction:
In what is expected to be a competitive match, the USMNT is projected to secure a narrow victory, providing a much-needed boost given their recent performances. Final pick: USMNT 2, Panama 1.