USMNT begins Mauricio Pochettino era with victory over Panama

Yunus Musah's first international goal and a late strike from Ricardo Pepi gave Mauricio Pochettino a victory in his first game as coach of the United States men's national team, with a 2-0 win over Panama in a friendly on Saturday in Austin, Texas.

The game in front of nearly 20,239 spectators at Q2 Stadium was the first of two friendlies for the United States in four days, which also includes a game against Mexico on Tuesday in Guadalajara. The USA ended a four-game winless streak and its first four-game home winless streak since trailing by seven games in the 2010-11 season.

Pochettino, a 52-year-old Argentine who coached Tottenham, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, was hired last month to replace Gregg Berhalter, who was fired in July following the USMNT's first-round exit from the Copa America. Pochettino was given a contract until the 2026 World Cup, which the United States will co-host, and is tasked with building a team that has not reached the World Cup quarterfinals since 2002.

“Build something little by little. The target is 2026,” said Pochettino. “It’s just the first step.”

Four minutes into the second half, Musah stylishly slotted home a cross from his AC Milan clubmate Christian Pulisic, marking the first goal of the Pochettino era and his first goal in 42 appearances.

Antonee Robinson worked her way around defender Michael Murillo on the left and centered on Pulisic, who exchanged passes with Brenden Aaronson before finding Musah, who redirected the ball past Orlando Mosquera with a right-footed volley from 4 yards.

Pulisic played a game with his eighth U.S. coach, a record for an American player.

Three substitutes in the second half combined for the second goal. Malik Tillman brought down a long ball from goalkeeper Matt Turner and passed to Haji Wright, who crossed. Pepi, a Texas native, pushed the ball through Mosquera's legs for his 11th goal in 31 appearances.

The Pochettino party was almost ruined twice. Just minutes after the U.S. took the lead, Turner made an impressive double save to keep Panama at bay. And the Americans were also in high spirits in the final stages when substitute José Fajardo missed a golden chance to bring Panama level.

Tim Ream captained the Americans a week after his 37th birthday, becoming the oldest U.S. outfield player since Preki in 2001. Forward Josh Sargent made his first start since the 2022 group stage final against Iran.

Mexican referee Katia Garcia is believed to be the first woman to officiate a U.S. men's national team game.

Goalkeeper Zack Steffen, who has not played for the United States since the last World Cup qualifiers in March 2022, did not dress because of what the U.S. Soccer Federation said was a minor injury. Defender Marlon Fossey, who has not trained on the field in recent days, also did not dress.

Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.