USMNT starts Mauricio Pochettino era with win 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 United States men's national team coach, with a 2-0 win over Panama in a friendly in Austin, Texas, Saturday.

The match in front of a near-capacity crowd of 20,239 at Q2 Stadium was the first of two friendlies for the U.S. in a four-day span that includes a game against Mexico on Tuesday in Guadalajara. The U.S. ended a four-game winless stretch and its first four-game home winless streak since a seven-game slide in 2010-11.

A 52-year-old Argentine who managed Tottenham, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, Pochettino was hired last month to replace Gregg Berhalter, who was fired in July after the USMNT's first-round elimination at the Copa America. Pochettino was given a contract through the 2026 World Cup that the U.S. will co-host and is tasked with sparking a team that has not reached the World Cup quarterfinals since 2002.

"Little by little building something. The objective is 2026," Pochettino said. "It's only the first step."

Musah stylishly volleyed home a cross from AC Milan clubmate Christian Pulisic four minutes into the second half for the first goal of the Pochettino era and his first goal in 42 appearances.

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

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

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

The Pochettino party twice came close to being spoiled. Turner produced an impressive double save to keep Panama at bay just minutes after the U.S. took the lead. And U.S. hearts were in mouth late on, too, as substitute José Fajardo missed a golden chance to bring Panama level.

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

Mexican referee Katia Garcia was believed to be the first woman to referee a U.S. men's national team match.

Goalkeeper Zack Steffen, who hasn't played for the U.S. 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 did not train on the field in recent days, also didn't dress.

Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.