Weah's Offside Moment

 A Crucial Turn in the USA-Panama Match

During a promising USA attack, Tim Weah's offside position proved pivotal in a frustrating match against Panama. As the Americans sought to break through Panama's resolute defense, the sequence began with a deliberate build-up from the back, shifting from Chris Richards to Tim Ream across the center-back positions.

Weah, operating from the left wing, appeared to time his run as Ream prepared to deliver a long diagonal ball toward the corner. Weah was offside as the ball was rotated, and even though he was looking across the line, the winger never came back onside, and replays confirmed he had strayed approximately one yard beyond the last defender when Ream struck the ball with his left foot. This marginal misjudgment proved costly.

In the 24th minute, this offside call nullified what would have been the match's only goal. Weah had reached the cross and centered it to McKennie, who intelligently laid it off for Sargent to finish emphatically. The celebrations were cut short when the assistant referee raised his flag, correctly identifying Weah's initial position.

This disallowed goal represented the Americans' best opportunity in a match where they dominated possession but struggled to create clear chances against Panama's organized defensive structure. Though Weah grew increasingly influential in the second half with his direct running, that early offside decision ultimately epitomized the team's frustrations under Pochettino's leadership.

Turner Under Fire

 Goalkeeper Criticized for Conceding Panama's Winner

Former national team stars have criticized Matt Turner's performance in the USMNT's shocking 1-0 defeat to Panama. The Crystal Palace goalkeeper, who rarely plays for his club side, was beaten by Cecilio Waterman's 94th-minute strike, Panama's only shot on target of the match.

Tony Meola, a National Soccer Hall of Fame goalkeeper with 100 caps for the USMNT, provided a technical analysis of the decisive moment: "Matt Turner is a little bit tucked in near that near post... his feet aren't planted. He doesn't have some explosion to his right." Meola emphasized that in crucial moments, "a goalkeeper has to find a way to make a save."

Landon Donovan was more direct in his criticism: "My one surprise when I first saw the lineup was Matt Turner in goal. Not playing consistently, obviously. And he's not going to be sharp. And my first thought when Waterman scored was Zack Steffen saves that."

Turner's lack of playing time at Crystal Palace—just four appearances since joining on loan in August—has raised questions about his readiness for international duty. Meanwhile, Zack Steffen has been playing regularly for the Colorado Rapids in MLS, leading some to wonder if Pochettino should consider a change for Sunday's third-place match against Canada.

Americans Stumble, Concede Late

Waterman and Panama Stun USMNT in Nations League Semifinal

Panama shocked the US men's national team with a last-minute 1-0 victory in the CONCACAF Nations League semifinal on Thursday, ending America's dominance in a tournament they had won three consecutive times.

Despite controlling nearly 70% of possession and completing twice as many passes as their opponents, the USMNT failed to convert several golden opportunities. Josh Sargent hit the post early and had one goal disallowed, Weston McKennie had a point-blank header saved, and substitute Patrick Agyemang squandered two late chances. The Americans' one goal was ruled out after Tim Weah was deemed offside in the buildup.

Panama, employing a disciplined defensive strategy, stunned the hosts in the 94th minute when substitute Cecilio Waterman scored on Los Canaleros' only shot on target of the match. The goal came from a US turnover, with Waterman firing a diagonal shot past goalkeeper Matt Turner from 15 yards out.

"We're still building our identity, but this was a tough loss," Christian Pulisic said after the match.

Coach Mauricio Pochettino was blunt in his assessment: "The first half, I think, was really painful, really painful to see. We didn't compete in the way that the game required."

Tyler Adams echoed this sentiment: "We need to look in the mirror before anything and just realize that when we have these type of games, we can't wait for something to happen. We have to make things happen."

This defeat continues a troubling trend for the USMNT against Panama in tournament play. Thomas Christiansen's side now has a 4-0-1 (WDL) record against the Americans in competitive fixtures.

The loss raises serious questions about the team's progress with the 2026 World Cup on home soil approaching. The Americans will face Canada in Sunday's third-place match, while Panama advances to the final against Mexico with a chance to win their first CONCACAF title.

Dest's La Liga Brace

 On This Day in 2021, the Fullback Scored Twice in the League Before Scoring His First International Goal Four Days Later

When Barcelona signed Sergino Dest from Ajax for €21 million in October 2020, the American defender quickly began collecting historic firsts. He became the first American to appear for Barcelona in La Liga, coming on as a substitute for Jordi Alba in a 1-1 draw against Sevilla. Later that month, he made history again as the first American to feature in El Clásico against Real Madrid. By November, he had notched another milestone, becoming the first American to score for Barcelona when he found the net in a Champions League victory over Dynamo Kyiv.

But Ronald Koeman's tactical shift to a 3-4-3 formation in early 2021 unleashed Dest's potential. Playing as a wingback rather than a traditional right-back gave the Dutch American more freedom to surge forward, and on March 21, he made his most emphatic statement yet in Barcelona's colors.

In a crucial match at Real Sociedad, with Barcelona chasing league leaders Atletico Madrid, Dest broke through for his first La Liga goal in the 43rd minute. The sequence began with Lionel Messi weaving through the Sociedad defense before finding Dest on the right wing, where the American confidently finished to give Barcelona a 2-0 lead. Just ten minutes after the break, Dest struck again, making a well-timed run into the box to meet a cross for an easy finish at the far post.

The brace was historic - Dest became the first American to score multiple goals in a La Liga match. His performance helped power Barcelona to a commanding 6-1 victory that kept them within four points of Atletico Madrid with ten games remaining in the season.

"It's incredible, we won 1-6, now we have to keep going this way," Dest said after the match. "I'm very happy about the two goals and for being able to help the team. This system suits me very well." The 20-year-old's adaptation to the wingback role highlighted Koeman's tactical acumen, giving Barcelona additional attacking thrust while maintaining defensive stability.

Dest's scoring form continued on international duty four days later, this time from an unfamiliar position. Playing left back for the United States against Jamaica, he cut inside from the wing after 34 minutes and rifled home his first international goal to spark a 4-1 American victory. The strike demonstrated his growing confidence and tactical flexibility - qualities that suggested Barcelona's investment in the young American was beginning to pay significant dividends.

Dest's journey from Almere City to Ajax's youth academy at age 12 to this scoring outburst in Spain represented a remarkable evolution. The son of a Dutch mother and American father had transformed from a promising fullback to a genuine two-way threat, capable of influencing matches at the highest level of club and international football.