Despite Staying on the Bench for the Semifinal, Midfielder Showed Spark in Start Against Canada
Amid the United States' disappointing CONCACAF Nations League campaign, Diego Luna emerged as a rare bright spot for the national team. The 21-year-old Real Salt Lake player brought creativity and energy to a largely uninspired squad during the third-place match against Canada.
Luna's ability to inject life into the team's midfield was inspiring. He provided a crucial assist for Patrick Agyemang's equalizing goal, showcasing his vision and creativity. Despite the team's ultimate 2-1 loss, Luna was willing to take risks and create opportunities that other midfielders seemed hesitant to attempt.
The young midfielder's performance was especially notable given his limited previous involvement in the tournament. Fans and commentators were puzzled by his absence in the earlier match against Panama, making his appearance against Canada all the more impactful. Luna acknowledged his approach, stating that creativity and risk-taking have been key to his success.
Mauricio Pochettino praised Luna's hunger and readiness, highlighting the player as a potential bright spot for the future. While the tournament was largely a disappointment for the US team, Luna provided a glimmer of hope and excitement for supporters looking ahead to future competitions.
United States Manager Facing Criticism After Nations League Defeats
Mauricio Pochettino is navigating treacherous waters as the head coach of the United States national team, facing intense scrutiny after a disastrous performance in the CONCACAF Nations League. The team's consecutive losses to Panama and Canada have exposed deep-seated issues, with the squad finishing in last place and drawing sharp criticism from former players and fans alike.
The criticism has been particularly scathing. US soccer legend Landon Donovan bluntly stated he was "sick of hearing how 'talented' this group of players is," challenging the team's commitment and pride. Stuart Holden went further, accusing Pochettino of "gaslighting" and suggesting that the coach would have been immediately fired under previous circumstances.
Despite the mounting pressure, Pochettino remains steadfastly optimistic. He has repeatedly emphasized that these setbacks are better experienced now, with approximately 15 months remaining before the 2026 home World Cup. His consistent message is one of patience and potential, urging fans not to become pessimistic and insisting that the team will find a way to improve.
The performance issues are multifaceted. Star players like Christian Pulisic seemed particularly ineffective, with some matches seeing him virtually invisible on the pitch. The midfield struggled with ball progression. Outside the lone goal, the attack failed to unlock either Panama or Canada in the final third. These challenges are particularly stark given the expectations surrounding what the media dubbed the US's "golden generation" - a roster featuring players from top European clubs, including seven who have played in the Champions League.
Pochettino's challenge is significant. He must transform a team that currently looks disconnected, underperforming and uninspired, all while managing expectations for the upcoming World Cup. His track record of success at club level with Tottenham and his recent appointment suggest he has the potential to turn things around, but the clock is ticking, and patience is wearing thin among US soccer supporters.
In the Third-Place Match, Which Saw Canada Manager Jesse Marsch Sent Off, the United States Struggled and Settled for Fourth
The United States Men's National Team concluded a dismal CONCACAF Nations League tournament with a frustrating 2-1 defeat to Canada, further raising concerns about the team's preparedness for next year's World Cup.
In a match played at SoFi Stadium, Canada demonstrated superior tactical awareness and aggression. Tani Oluwaseyi opened the scoring in the 27th minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse that left him unmarked in the six-yard box. The goal epitomized the USMNT's struggles with defensive consistency.
The Americans briefly responded through an impressive team goal, with Tim Weah initiating a move culminating in Patrick Agyemang's equalizer. Diego Luna, making his competitive national team debut, played a crucial role in the buildup, showcasing composure and creativity on the assist that offered a glimmer of hope.
However, Jonathan David's sublime 59th-minute strike ultimately sealed Canada's victory. The goal came after a period of increased Canadian pressure and highlighted the USMNT's continued defensive vulnerabilities.
Head coach Mauricio Pochettino expressed disappointment, acknowledging the team's shortcomings while attempting to maintain optimism. Players like Tyler Adams and Weah admitted the team failed to exhibit the "killer mentality" and "fighting spirit" they had promised after their semifinal loss to Panama.
The defeat was particularly significant as it marked the first time the United States had lost back-to-back home matches to Canada since 1925. Statistical evidence underscored the team's struggles: Canada outshot the USA 8-5 and maintained more threatening possession in the attacking third.
With the Gold Cup approaching in June, Pochettino indicated potential roster changes, signaling a potential reset and opportunity for emerging talents to prove themselves on the international stage.
On This Day in 2024, Redemption for Adams and Reyna as Each Scored in a Dos a Cero Victory over Mexico
The United States entered the 2024 CONCACAF Nations League Final against Mexico riding a six-match unbeaten streak against their fiercest rivals. Since a September 2019 defeat, the Americans had compiled an impressive record against El Tri, including victories in the previous two editions of the Nations League. For Mexico, pressure was mounting under coach Jaime Lozano as they sought to reclaim regional supremacy and silence a growing chorus of critics.
Conditions at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, presented a familiar challenge for both sides. Despite playing on American soil, the sold-out crowd of 59,471 created an overwhelmingly pro-Mexican atmosphere, with chants and songs echoing throughout the cavernous venue. The temporary grass strips installed over the NFL field showed visible seams, adding another variable to an already tense encounter.
The U.S. team's journey to the final had been anything but straightforward. Three days earlier, Gregg Berhalter's squad faced elimination after conceding to Jamaica after 30 seconds when Greg Leigh headed past Matt Turner. It marked the earliest goal the USMNT had conceded this century, and for the next 95 minutes, the Americans stared at the prospect of a third-straight loss for the first time since 2015.
Salvation came dramatically. In the sixth minute of five minutes of stoppage time, Jamaica substitute Cory Burke unwittingly headed past his own goalkeeper off a corner kick, forcing extra time and giving the Americans new life. The equalizer represented the latest regulation-time goal the U.S. had scored since 2012.
Enter Haji Wright, whose very presence in the squad was the result of remarkable circumstances. The 26-year-old striker hadn't been included in Berhalter's original roster. He was literally at an airport in England, preparing to depart for a family vacation in Dubai, when he received the unexpected call to replace the injured Josh Sargent.
"I know you got your parents, the bags are packed, and you're at the airport, but just think about it for 10 minutes and give me a callback," Berhalter had told him. When Wright called back to accept the invitation, Berhalter later recalled, "It really shows what type of guy he is, what type of character he is."
Wright's decision paid immediate dividends in the semifinal. He scored twice in extra time from Gio Reyna's assists to secure the 3-1 victory. The performance was significant for Wright, who hadn't appeared for the national team since the 2022 World Cup despite his prolific scoring for Coventry City, including a dramatic stoppage-time winner just days earlier that had sent his club to the FA Cup semifinals.
On March 24, against Mexico, Berhalter made five changes to his starting lineup, inserting Sergiño Dest, Tim Ream, Tyler Adams, Reyna and Wright. The inclusion of Adams was particularly notable, as the midfielder was making his first start in 475 days for club or country after struggling with a persistent hamstring injury that required two surgeries.
The match remained scoreless until right before halftime, when Adams delivered a moment of individual brilliance. The 25-year-old midfielder received a pass from Weston McKennie about 35 yards from goal, took a touch, and unleashed a curling shot that just eluded the outstretched hand of diving Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, making his 150th international appearance.
The stunning strike left his teammates in disbelief. "Nobody was expecting that," defender Chris Richards said afterward. "We thought it was about to go into the stands." Ream added: "Row Z. When he lined it up, I actually started to jump back to my position because I thought, 'Okay, there's a goal kick coming.'"
Despite his brilliant contribution, Adams' night ended at halftime due to the minutes restriction agreed upon with his club, Bournemouth. "Typical Tyler: We get into an argument in the locker room, and he wants to play more," Berhalter revealed. "As much as I wanted him in the game, it's a safety thing. We want to make sure that he gets back in a healthy way because he has a lot more games to play."
The Americans doubled their advantage in the 63rd minute through Reyna, whose journey back to prominence mirrored Adams in many ways. After providing the decisive assists in the semifinal, Reyna capitalized on a scramble in the penalty area following Christian Pulisic's blocked cross. When Mexican defender Johan Vásquez attempted a headed clearance, Reyna let the ball bounce once before firing a technically perfect volley past Ochoa at his near post from 16 yards.
The goal was significant for Reyna, who had endured a challenging club season, making just one league start split between Borussia Dortmund and Nottingham Forest. It also represented another step in repairing his once-fractured relationship with Berhalter following their public fallout after the 2022 World Cup.
Reyna himself acknowledged the improvement in their relationship after the semifinal, his first time speaking to reporters since the World Cup: "What happened happened, but I think both of us are so far past it and just so focused on the group that it's not even an issue at all anymore."
The match was briefly marred by homophobic chants from sections of the crowd. In the 88th minute, Canadian referee Drew Fischer halted play for 4½ minutes and again six minutes into stoppage time for another minute and a half per CONCACAF's anti-discrimination protocol. The previous year's Nations League semifinal in Las Vegas had ended early due to similar chants from Mexican supporters.
When the final whistle eventually blew, the 2-0 victory – a scoreline affectionately known as "dos a cero" in U.S. Soccer lore – gave the Americans their third consecutive Nations League title and extended their unbeaten run against Mexico to a record seven games.
"It's about really taking advantage of every single opportunity we have because, before we know it, 2026 is going to be here," Berhalter said, already looking ahead to the World Cup that the United States would co-host with Mexico and Canada.
The Americans would next turn their attention to Copa América, preparing with friendlies against Colombia and Brazil before opening the tournament against Bolivia. That summer competition would provide their best opportunity to test themselves against global powers before the 2026 World Cup.
Adams put it in the afterglow of victory: "People have a lot of question marks about this, about that. But to see what we do week in, week out when we have the opportunity to work together, we continue to grow."
On This Day in 1997, Despite Facing Pending Legal Issues, the Forward Scored in a World Cup Qualifying Defeat
Roy Lassiter's return to Costa Rica brought drama and controversy to "La Cueva del Monstruo"—the Monster's Cave. The Tampa Bay Mutiny striker, who had spent three successful years playing in the Central American nation from 1993-95, found himself at the center of a media storm before the crucial World Cup qualifier on March 23, 1997. Local newspapers reported that he owed $2,300 in credit card debt and faced possible detention under a judge's order.
The hostile reception peaked during the match at Saprissa Stadium, where the crowd of 22,000 targeted their former star with particular venom. Chants of "Lassiter ladrón!" ("Lassiter's a thief!") rained down from "La Ultra," the passionate supporters' section. However, the extraordinary security presence – including fatigue-clad police officers with automatic pistols and guard dogs – ensured the abuse remained verbal rather than physical.
Lassiter answered his critics in the second half, intercepting a pass and slotting home to level the score at 2-2. His celebration was pointed and defiant as he turned to face the crowd and cupped his hand to his ear. "I wanted to hear what noise they were gonna make then," Lassiter said after the match.
The goal proved insufficient for the Americans, as Costa Rica's Ronald Gomez scored the winner in the 76th minute to earn a 3-2 victory. The defeat ended U.S. goalkeeper Kasey Keller's impressive streak of 551 scoreless minutes in international play. Hernan Medford opened the scoring in the 11th minute, stopping the streak at 562 minutes.
For Lassiter, who had led Major League Soccer with 27 goals for Tampa Bay in 1996, the hostile homecoming marked a stark contrast to his time as a fan favorite in Costa Rica. "Soccer is their life here. I can understand it," he said of the reception, dismissing the debt allegations: "I sent money to my representative here. They're just trying to mess with my mind."
The incident highlighted Lassiter's growing international profile since leaving Costa Rica. Fresh off signing a new three-year contract with the Mutiny, he had spent the off-season playing in China, Japan, Hong Kong, and Italy while making 17 appearances and scoring four goals for the U.S. national team. "They don't threaten players who are mediocre," he reflected later. "If I'd have scored two goals, oh man, bring out the police escort."
The defeat left the United States with four points from their first three final round qualifiers, tied with Costa Rica and Mexico in the six-team group that would send three teams to the 1998 World Cup in France. For Lassiter, the return to Tampa Bay offered a welcome respite from international soccer's intense spotlight. "This is the only place I wanted to play," he said. "They showed they wanted me here, and that meant a lot."
On This Day in 2013, New Captain Dempsey Scores the Lone Goal in a Snow-Filled World Cup Qualifier
The United States entered their critical World Cup qualifying match against Costa Rica with their backs against the wall. Following a disappointing opening loss to Honduras in February, Jurgen Klinsmann's squad was last in the six-team Hexagonal. With reports of player discontent swirling and a daunting trip to Mexico City looming, newly appointed captain Clint Dempsey delivered when his team needed him most on a night that would forever be etched in American soccer lore.
For Dempsey, the March 22 match in Commerce City, Colorado, marked a significant milestone. Two days before kickoff, the 30-year-old Texan was handed the captain's armband, filling the leadership void left by Carlos Bocanegra's exclusion from the roster and Tim Howard's injury absence. It would be the first time Dempsey honed the armband since the second half of the October 2010 friendly against Colombia.
"Clint is one of our most experienced players and ready to assume a more vocal leadership role," Klinsmann explained before the match. "He has been huge for us in World Cup qualifying and is already one of our key leaders."
The appointment came at a tumultuous time for Klinsmann's squad. An article in The Sporting News, citing anonymous sources, had questioned the coach's tactical acumen and communication skills. With nine players from the Honduras match unavailable due to injuries and illness, Klinsmann was forced to field his 24th different lineup in 24 matches as national team coach, including DaMarcus Beasley at left back for the first time since 2009.
When the teams took the field at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, they faced conditions more suitable for winter sports than soccer. Snow began falling in the afternoon and intensified as the match progressed, creating a surreal spectacle that would later be dubbed the "Snow Clasico." Fans were initially advised to remain in their cars before the 7 p.m. kickoff as a tornado watch was in effect. Still, the sold-out crowd of 19,374 brave souls eventually entered the stadium, creating an intensely pro-American atmosphere.
Groundskeepers used plows and shovels to clear the penalty areas, center circle, and midfield stripe as the snow accumulated rapidly. A yellow-and-purple ball was used for better visibility, though even that proved challenging as the white powder intensified. Players' hair turned white as the snow stuck to their scalps, creating a visual spectacle unprecedented in American soccer history.
Despite the worsening conditions, both teams attempted to play with some semblance of strategy. The breakthrough came in the 16th minute through the new captain. Jozy Altidore fired a 19-yard shot that deflected off Costa Rican defender Roy Miller, bouncing fortuitously toward Dempsey. With instincts honed through years in England's rain-soaked Premier League, Dempsey pounced, driving a right-footed shot from close range into the net.
It was Dempsey's seventh goal of the Brazil 2014 qualifying campaign and his 12th career score in World Cup qualifying, further cementing his status as the team's offensive leader in Landon Donovan's continued absence. Unlike most of his teammates, the rugged Texan even refused to wear gloves during the first half, embodying the gritty determination required for the evening.
As the match progressed, the snowfall intensified, and referee Joel Aguilar of El Salvador momentarily halted play in the 55th minute. As visibility diminished and field conditions deteriorated, there was genuine concern that the match commissioner might abandon the contest altogether.
Klinsmann, desperate for the three points, rushed onto the field to lobby for the continuation of play. "You don't want to stop it. You want to keep that advantage and finish it off," he later explained.
After the brief stoppage, the match resumed, though both teams struggled to maintain any coherent tactical approach as the pitch increasingly resembled a winter wonderland rather than a soccer field. When Beasley slid on his back following a collision, he formed what Klinsmann described as "a bit of a snow angel."
"It almost looked like he grew up in the snow," Klinsmann said of the Indiana native, who earned widespread praise for his performance in an unfamiliar position.
The Americans survived a scare in the 70th minute when Michael Umana's apparent equalizer for Costa Rica was disallowed for offside. The U.S. might have felt unlucky, too—they had appealed for a penalty kick after Miller tripped Dempsey in the 42nd minute, but referee Aguilar denied the claim.
As time wound down, U.S. defender Geoff Cameron even playfully pushed a grounds crew member shoveling the field during injury time, capturing the surreal nature of the evening. By the final whistle, players from both teams were covered in snow, but only the Americans were smiling.
The hard-fought victory lifted the Americans from last place to second in the Hexagonal standings, one point behind Honduras, which had rallied from two goals down for a 2-2 tie at home against Mexico on the same day. The U.S. also extended their impressive home unbeaten streak in qualifying to 23 games over twelve years.
"We were able to come together when we needed to," Dempsey said, carrying the weight of team captain and match-winner.
With the critical three points secured, attention immediately turned to an even more significant challenge: a Tuesday night clash with regional power Mexico at the imposing Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The Americans would face radically different conditions—high altitude, smog, and a hostile crowd of 105,000—as they sought their first-ever qualifying victory on Mexican soil.
Costa Rica's coach, Jorge Luis Pinto, later called the decision to play the match "an embarrassment for soccer. " The Costa Rican federation filed an official protest with FIFA, seeking to have the game replayed. But for the Americans, the "Snow Clasico" victory momentarily quieted critics and gave Klinsmann's team a crucial boost in confidence as they headed south to face their greatest rivals.
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.
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.
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.
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.
