As the dust settles on Jamaica's Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal exit at the hands of the United States, Head coach Steve McClaren remains resolute in his vision for the Reggae Boyz.

While their 2-4 loss in the second leg and, by extension, the 5-2 aggregate scoreline is a bitter pill to swallow, McClaren views it as an essential part of the team's growth and a stark reminder of the work needed to elevate Jamaica's football to the next level.

The Boyz failed campaign, which has now left them to contest a preliminary round to get into next year’s Concacaf Gold Cup, was a tale of two contrasting performances, as a 0-1 loss in Kingston last Thursday left them chasing the tie heading into the away leg in St Louis, Missouri.

However, the doggedness that they displayed at the National Stadium was nonexistent at the Energizer Park on Monday, particularly in the first half, as they found themselves overwhelmed by a clinical United States team that raced to a 3-0 lead by halftime.

Christian Pulisic (13th), Di’Shon Bernard’s 33rd-minute own goal, and Ricardo Pepi (42nd) set the tone for the United States win, which was capped by Timothy Weah (56th). Demarai Gray (53rd, 68th) placed some semblance of respectability on the scoreline for the Boyz.

“We concede that they were the better team. In the first half, we were passive defensively, and we didn’t deal with the ball well. They punished us in transition, caused problems in the build-ups, and three goals made it a mountain to climb,” McClaren said in his post-match assessment.

Despite the early setback, McClaren found positives in his team’s second half response, as they scored twice in what he believes was a show of resilience and determination, though the United States’ superiority proved insurmountable.

“We could have folded at halftime, but we didn't. I told the players we had to win the second half. We changed the shape, personnel, and attitude, and we were more aggressive. That gave us opportunities, and we scored, but we were always vulnerable on the transition, and then the fourth goal was a kick in the teeth. But still, we came back. I mean, that's character, that's courage, and that's what the team has got, so we have to build on that by being tactically and technically better because that's what the USA were,” McClaren reasoned.

On that note, McClaren emphasized that the team’s struggles stem from the same principles he’s determined to instill—building from the back and maintaining composure under pressure.

“We want to build a team that can deal with the ball under pressure. That’s modern football. The principles are you have to be aggressive, you have to defend properly, and you have to be able to deal with the ball,” McClaren declared.

“That is what our strength normally is; we are aggressive, we defend well, but we need to improve in being able to deal with the ball better, build from the back better, with more composure, and have more courage, which we showed in the second half. The USA pressed aggressively, and we didn’t handle it well enough, but that’s a lesson we’ll take forward,” the Englishman added.

With their main target being the 2026 Fifa World Cup, McClaren sees the loss as part of a necessary process, as their immediate future now involves navigating the Gold Cup preliminaries, a step back from their automatic qualification ambitions. 

“This process is ongoing. Sometimes things work, and sometimes they don’t. But we learn, adapt, and move forward. I believe in this team and in our ability to achieve something special. The real test is against the top teams, and we’ve come up short,” the tactician noted.

“But these are the games where we learn the most about our weaknesses and what we need to improve. We’ve used 37 players across three camps, experimenting and identifying talent... it doesn’t bode well for consistency, but it’s vital for the bigger picture. We need players who can defend, press, and deal with the ball under pressure,” McClaren ended.

While the 0-1 loss to the United States in their Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal opener has left his Reggae Boyz with work to do in the second leg, Jamaica’s Head coach Steve McClaren remains optimistic about their chances to turn the tie around when they travel to St. Louis, Missouri, for the crucial clash on Monday.

McClaren’s wave of optimism that his team can secure a spot in the Nations League semifinals and, by extension, next year’s Concacaf Gold Cup, came as he expressed a mix of pride and frustration about Thursday’s outcome at the National Stadium.

A fifth minute by Ricardo Pepi gave reigning champions United States an early advantage, and despite Jamaica's strong press and numerous attacking opportunities, they were unable to find the elusive equaliser.

McClaren, however, was quick to praise the spirit and work ethic of his players throughout the match.

“What I really liked about the performance was the fight and the spirit. It was a great effort from the team in terms of pressing, but we were too open,” McClaren said in his post-match comments.

“In terms of creating chances, we had opportunities, we had the penalty, and we had moments when we won the ball back and could transition. But overall, the game felt too open. Credit to the team though; I’m proud of them. We were 1-0 down after just five minutes, and with the game being as open as it was, I thought the players showed real character to fight back. 12 shots at goal, and we felt aggrieved,” he added.

Jamaica’s attacking play was energetic, particularly in the second half of the encounter, where they enjoyed a decent passage of play and created a few key moments that could have leveled the score, including a penalty shout and a shot cleared off the line.

"I’m proud of the players for their performance. The way they worked, the way they defended, the way they pressed, and the way they created chances—I was very proud of all of them. Yes, we lost 1-0, but we showed that we can compete, and I know the USA will not take the game on Monday lightly," McClaren said.

“We know that we can give them a game. We know the first goal will be important. If we score the first goal, then the tie is on. So, as I said, proud. I'm really looking forward to Monday now to play them again,” he shared.

The over 20,000-strong Jamaican fans, who were vocal throughout the match, gave the players their support despite the early setback, and though there was a short burst of boos, McClaren believes the crowd's energy helped lift the Boyz for the most part.

"I was pleased with the crowd; they were great. I thought the fans were behind us all the way, and they got off their seats when we created those opportunities. I think you could see the attacking football and good performances, so we have to repeat that in the second leg.

“We just need to recover, get ourselves together, keep the spirit, keep the fight, and keep the belief that we can go there and score first and make a game,” the Englishman stated.

Meanwhile, defender Damion Lowe shared McClaren’s sentiments, acknowledging that the team gave their all despite the early setback.

“The guys really put it to the test. Conceding an early is never good, but we showed resilience. The Jamaican in us really fought, and we dug deep. We got the opportunity to win the game...we had two great chances, but that’s football—it’s cruel sometimes,” Lowe noted.

“But, it’s a two-legged tie, and we can’t beat ourselves up. It’s a quick turnaround, and we’ve been in this situation before. A year ago, we were in the same position (and turned it around against Canada), so we just have to do it again,” he ended.

Jamaica's Reggae Boyz were left with a bittersweet taste in their mouths as they suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to the United States in the first leg of the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal clash at the National Stadium on Thursday.

It was a match defined by tension and missed chances, particularly for the Reggae Boyz, as Ricardo Pepi’s early fifth-minute strike proved decisive for the visitors, who left a packed crowd of 20,514 fans disappointed at the outcome.

With the win, United States, the reigning Concacaf Nations League champions will be even more confident heading into Monday's return leg in Missouri. Jamaica will be without England-born central defender Mason Holgate for that contest after he was shown a second yellow and then red in the 86th. His first caution was in the 76th.

The Boyz would have been hyped heading into Thursday's encounter on home soil, but quickly had the wind knocked out of their sails when Pepi found the net from a Christian Pulisic through ball to seize an early lead for the United States.

However, the Boyz refused to be cowed and pressed the Americans for an equalizer in what became a fiercely contested match. They had their first real chance to level things in the 12th minute, when Shamar Nicholson powered his way into the box, only to be fouled by United States' goalkeeper Matt Turner.

Demarai Gray stepped up to take the resulting penalty, but Turner rose to the occasion, diving to his right to block Gray’s low shot and keep the United States advantage intact.

Still, the Boyz continued to push forward. In the 36th minute, Kasey Palmer tried his luck from the top of the box, but his shot was comfortably collected by Turner. 

Just a minute later, Dexter Lembikisa whipped in a well-placed cross for Nicholson, but his header went well wide of the mark as they continued their search for a breakthrough.

After a slow start to the second half, the Boyz upped the tempo and created multiple close chances in what was their best passage of play. Nicholson had another opportunity in the 63rd minute, but his shot was expertly charged down by Mark McKenzie, who frustrated the Jamaican faithful.

Perhaps Jamaica's best chance came shortly after, in the 65th minute, as Renaldo Cephas sent a teasing cross across the face of the United States goal. Holgate connected but had his shot cleared off the line by Tim Ream.

The resulting corner saw Leon Bailey's curling effort rattle the crossbar, and Damion Lowe’s follow-up was also blocked, drawing loud cheers from the crowd, who wanted a VAR check for a possible penalty. 

However, the appeal by both the players on the pitch and their supporters was ignored by Costa Rican referee Juan Gabriel Calderon, resulting in murmurs of frustration through the crowd. 

The game briefly paused when tensions flared between Bailey and United States defender Antonee Robinson, an incident symbolic of the competitive spirit both sides displayed throughout.

As the minutes ticked away, Jamaica kept pushing, but the United States defence stood firm. Bailey tried once more in the 73rd minute with a shot from inside the box, only to see it blocked by Ream.

A defensive error by Lowe opened the door for the Americans to threaten late on, with Brandon Vazquez finding himself with space and time in the 84th minute, but his attempt went straight to Jamaica’s custodian Andre Blake.

The final blow for the Boyz came in the 86th minute when Holgate received his second yellow card after a foul on Vazquez, reducing Steve McClaren's side to 10 men and dimming their chances for a late comeback.

Despite the narrow defeat, Jamaica will head into the second leg with hopes of overturning the deficit but will need to be much sharper and more clinical if they hope to progress to the semifinals, as getting by the United States in their backyard will by no means be easy.

Jamaica’s Head coach Steve McClaren has once again emphasized the importance of mental toughness and consistency as his Reggae Boyz brace for their highly anticipated home-and-away Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal showdown against the United States.

Knowing that this encounter represents a major test in their journey through the tournament, McClaren is urging his players to seize the opportunity and embrace the challenge against a formidable opponent in first leg action at the National Stadium on Thursday.

Start time is at 8:00pm.

McClaren, who steered the Reggae Boyz through an encouraging group stage, where they won two and draw two to finish atop Group B, remains laser-focused on the team’s principles of resilience, ball control, and tactical discipline.

“This is the game we’ve been working toward. Our main goal was to get out of the group and reach a stage to play against a big team that would challenge us and there's no bigger team than the USA. This is a step up and a test for how far we've come and where we need to get to,” McClaren said in a pre-match press conference.

The stakes are heightened by the absence of influential striker Michail Antonio, who faces a one-match suspension, alongside the injured Ethan Pinnock and Bobby Reid, the latter having just welcomed a new addition to his family.

Still, McClaren remains unfazed and will lean heavily on his squad depth, entrusting both veterans and newcomers to adapt and deliver with resolve, as they look to take a decisive step forward.

“One of our principles is to be hard to beat,” McClaren said, as he stressed the need for both defensive solidity and confidence on the ball.

“We have to deal with the ball better, show bravery, and avoid giving away possession too easily. The last time we faced the USA, many of their chances came from transitions when we gave the ball away. That’s something we must control and be careful of. But the players have shown that they've got that mentality to win games and different ways to win games and we'll need all those ingredients against a very, very good and very strong USA team,” he added. 

To improve the Boyz possession game, McClaren is set to rely on Newcastle United’s Isaac Hayden, who is set to make his debut in central midfield. The tactician hopes that Hayden will bring the critical link in stabilizing their build-up play and foster creativity in advancing the ball fluidly and also to retain control under pressure.

“This is probably one of the reasons why we're not creating enough chances. So that will be one of the responsibilities when Isaac plays, is to create that link from the back to the front and also to get out of tight areas. We know that he's smart and dealing with the ball is one of our major goals with this team.

“So by the time next year comes around to World Cup qualification, we want everybody in the team who are able to deal with the ball…that's from the goalkeeper all the way through to the bench. We're starting to build that, but we still got a long way to go,” the Englishman shared.

Though United States lead the head-to-head 20 wins to Jamaica’s three in what has been a longstanding rivalry between the two nations, McClaren believes the Boyz have made significant strides in driving fear into their opponents.

They went close to a win in the last Nations League edition where they led United States from the first minute but conceded in stoppage time and eventually lost 1-3 in that semi-final clash.

For McClaren, the ultimate goal extends beyond Thursday’s game, as he envisions this match as a valuable step in building a consistent and competitive team for World Cup qualification.

"The key thing is consistency. We need to be consistent in what we do...with that consistency will come performance, and that’s how we progress and get better," he explained.

"We’re getting closer, and it’s only a matter of time. As long as we keep belief and confidence and don’t look at the opponent with fear, but as a challenge and tomorrow, we want to embrace that challenge. I'm so encouraged by what I've seen that I'm excited about the future,” McClaren declared.

That said, McClaren is optimistic that the team's unique athleticism and mental resolve will shine through.

“We have good speed and athleticism. It’s no secret; they know it, we know it. We’ll need to use that to our advantage while staying well-organized and resilient in transition,” he ended.

Meanwhile, Isaac Hayden declared his commitment to giving of his best in the team’s bid to not only make another Nations League semi-final, but also secure qualification to the next Concacaf Gold Cup.

“Anyone that knows me or seen me play knows that I'm a highly committed player and someone that gives 110% every moment of every game, every training session. I always want to win. Obviously we've got two massive games coming up and I think it's just for me to bed in, contribute as much as I can, however many minutes that is, and give 110% and see where that takes us,” Hayden declared.

Isaac Hayden is counting down the days to what promises to be a special milestone in his career—making his debut with the Reggae Boyz in the highly anticipated Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal clash against the United States.

The England-born midfielder has waited a long time for this moment, as his journey to this point has been marked by anticipation and heritage, and he’s ready to embrace both when he takes the field for the first-leg clash at the National Stadium on Thursday. The return leg is set for November 18 at Energizer Park.

“Yeah, things have been really, really good, and the first day has been fantastic. The lads and the staff have welcomed me in so well, and I’m just really, really excited to be here and hoping to contribute,” Hayden said with a smile.

For Hayden, this home leg, in particular, holds more than just competitive weight, as it also serves a family reunion of sorts given that his father and both grandparents were all born on the island.

Having represented England from the Under-16 to the Under-21 levels, Hayden declared his ambition to play for the Three Lions at senior level in 2019, but changed track to switch allegiance to Jamaica as he felt the significance of bringing those family ties full circle.

“I've still got some family members over here now who I think are going to come to the game on Thursday. It’s good to finally get it (the switch) done and get it over the line. It’s been a long time coming, and yeah, I’m just looking forward to it,” Hayden declared.

That said, the 29-year-old pointed out that adapting to the new environment has been an enjoyable process as he is quickly adjusting to the Caribbean conditions after his recent arrival.

“I had a good session with some of the lads. Obviously, some of the lads are still to come, but it was still a good group out there. Training and acclimatising to the weather... everything’s been fine; it has been smooth sailing. I am really enjoying myself so far,” Hayden shared enthusiastically.

Hayden’s smooth transition in the Reggae Boyz setup has been aided by a trusted figure in Head coach Steve McClaren, whose guidance and familiarity have given Hayden an extra layer of comfort.

In fact, the gravity of Jamaica’s World Cup ambitions is not lost on Hayden either. As a player with a wealth of experience from his days in England, Hayden is well aware of the task ahead.

“I've known the gaffer for a while. We had a few conversations before, and it was something he thought I could add to the group in a positive way. For me, I wanted to come in and contribute the best way possible to improve the team’s chances of getting to the next round of the Nations League, and then obviously looking further ahead is obviously World Cup qualification, which is a huge, huge goal of everyone here,” he noted.

Rated highly by former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger as a player whose key assets are concentration, intelligence, and strength, Hayden is energized and eager to parade his versatility in front of passionate Jamaican fans.

The Newcastle United defensive midfielder is also equally comfortable at centre-back and has previously featured at right-back and as a playmaker.

“I think playing on Jamaican soil in the first round is important,” he said, eyes lighting up at the thought.

“The atmosphere will be cracking with the amount of tickets sold and everything that comes around that, but the main thing for us is to go out there and do everyone proud in Jamaica,” he ended.

Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie have been recalled to the United States squad ahead of their Concacaf Nations League quarter-finals.

The two-legged tie against Jamaica marks new head coach Mauricio Pochettino's first competitive games in charge.

He has overseen two friendlies so far, a 2-0 win over Panama in his first match, followed by a 2-0 defeat to Mexico, a game which both Pulisic and McKennie missed.

The latter's Juventus team-mate, Timothy Weah, is also back in the squad, but he will miss the first leg against Jamaica, serving the second of his two-game suspension after being sent off against Panama at the Copa America.

Weah, who scored for Juventus against Torino, has been involved in four goals in his last four league appearances (three goals and one assist), as many as in his previous 63 matches between Serie A and Ligue 1.

Meanwhile, Tyler Adams is a notable absentee despite recently returning from a long-term injury to feature for Bournemouth in the Premier League.

The USA are chasing a fourth consecutive Concacaf Nations League title, and visit Jamaica for the first leg on Thursday before hosting the return on November 18 in Missouri. 

USA squad in full:

Diego Kochen (Barcelona Athletic), Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew), Zack Steffen (Colorado Rapids), Matt Turner (Crystal Palace), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), Joe Scally (Borussia Monchengladbach), Auston Trusty (Celtic), Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United), Gianluca Busio (Venezia), Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough), Yunus Musah (Milan), Tanner Tessmann (Lyon), Malik Tillman (PSV), Cade Cowell (Guadalajara), Ricardo Pepi (PSV), Christian Pulisic (Milan), Brandon Vazquez (Monterrey), Tim Weah (Juventus), Alex Zendejas (America).

The Bahamas have once again been selected to host the 2025 Concacaf Beach Soccer Championship, as they, along with Trinidad and Tobago, will be the Caribbean’s representatives in the tournament, which serves as a qualifier for next year’s FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in the Seychelles.

Scheduled to take place from March 11 to 16, at the Malcolm Park Beach Soccer Facility in Nassau, the competition will begin with an eight-team group stage—two groups of four teams each.

Alongside the Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago are Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, and the United States.

After round-robin play, the two best teams in each group will progress to the knockout stage, which will be contested as a single-match direct elimination semifinals on March 15. This will be followed by a third-place match and final on March 16, where the region’s Beach Soccer Champion will be crowned.

Additionally, the two finalists will represent the confederation at the 2025 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
 
The official draw for the 2025 Concacaf Beach Soccer Championship is scheduled for November 26, 2024, with the match schedule to be announced shortly after.

In the previous edition of the Concacaf Beach Soccer Championship, also played in The Bahamas, last year, the United States won its third Concacaf title (2006, 2013, 2023) after defeating Mexico 5-0 in the final. The two North American nations represented the region at the 2024 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in the UAE.

Mauricio Pochettino has called for calm following his first defeat as the United States boss, insisting he needs more time to get the best out of his players. 

Pochettino watched on as the Stars and Stripes fell to a 2-0 loss to Mexico at the Estadio AKRON, with Raul Jimenez and Cesar Huerta on target for the hosts. 

The United States struggled for large parts of the contest, managing just one shot on target from the five they attempted, ending with an expected goals (xG) total of just 0.27. 

An even bigger cause for concern was that the USMNT's xG came from Brandon Vazquez (0.12), Kristoffer Lund (0.11) and Haji Wright (0.04), all of whom started on the bench.

"We all feel disappointed because I think we didn't have all the players that we wanted to have when we started," Pochettino told reporters.

"We lost some players for different reasons, and we arrived a little bit short here.

"I say thank you to the players (who were here) because they were amazing, professional and the behaviour was amazing. 

"We wanted to win. I think we need to be positive about this type of game.

"We need to play more games like this to improve the knowledge that we have.

"Give us time, let us evaluate all the players, have them, know them, and from there I will give you a better opinion about what is much more fundamental than what I see."

Pochettino understands the task at hand, with his side's win in his first game in charge against Panama the only triumph in their last six games. 

The Argentine has been tasked with leading the U.S. at the 2026 World Cup on home soil, and the latest defeat will leave him plenty to ponder ahead of the November international break. 

Mauricio Pochettino suffered his first defeat in charge of the United States, losing 2-0 away to Mexico in a friendly on Tuesday.

For Mexico, it was their third match without defeat or even conceding a goal as they celebrated the international swansong of veteran midfielder Andres Guardado in style.

Mexico opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, when Raul Jimenez whipped a powerful free-kick past Matt Turner from distance.

The in-form Fulham man hit his shot with the perfect amount of power and height to lift it up and over the wall and find the top corner.

Jimenez continued to threaten in the first half, with long-range shots and audacious flicks, but there was little else to get excited about in the opening period.

The home side doubled their lead early in the second half after star man Jimenez won the ball back in the box and slipped in team-mate Cesar Huerta for a close-range finish. That was a lead they comfortably saw out for their first victory over the USA since 2019.

Data debrief: Pochettino with plenty of work to do

The chief worry for Pochettino will be how his side were bossed out of what was a low-margin game in terms of expected goals (xG), with the USA generating 0.27 compared to Mexico's 0.95.

The United States managed just one shot on target, with Brandon Vazquez's effort coming in the 79th minute when the result seemed academic.

There is a big job here for Pochettino given his side's 2-0 victory against Panama in his opening match remains their only win in six, while they have lost four of those contests.

LeBron James is uncertain if he will get the chance to play on the same team as fellow great Stephen Curry before one of the duo retires.

Curry and James teamed up for the first time to help Team USA win gold at the Paris Olympics this summer.

But with 39-year-old James and 36-year-old Curry in the twilight of their careers, the chances of them teaming up at another Olympics are slim.

Indeed, with James committed to the Los Angeles Lakers and Curry to the Golden State Warriors, the best fans can likely hope for is a joint All-Star appearance. 

"I have no idea," James said ahead of the Lakers facing the Warriors in preseason.

James and Curry formed a thrilling NBA Finals rivalry between 2015 and 2018, facing off against each other 22 times.

"It was everything and more," James said of teaming up with Curry at the Olympics.

"I was super excited to be able to finally team up with him in a win-or-die type atmosphere. That's what it was, being a part of the Olympics.

"It was everything that I dreamed of and aspired to want to be a part of that team, along with Steph. Great memories. Something that I'll remember from my basketball career for the rest of my life, for sure.

"I understand what Steph has done for this game. I understand what he's done for his organisation, what he's done for the community, people all over the world.

"Just by his approach to the game and how he is as a man. How he is as a family man. How he is as a husband, a dad, a son, all that stuff.

"So when you have that type of respect for somebody and then you get to be around them every day and you see the way they work and how they treat their craft, it's a pretty cool thing. You're able to just respect that and not take it for granted."

Mauricio Pochettino is eager to build a bond between his United States team and their supporters after he made a winning start to his tenure as head coach.

Pochettino's USA ran out 2-0 winners over Panama in Austin on Saturday.

Yunus Musah and Ricardo Pepi got the goals as the USA claimed a morale-boosting victory in front of a 20,000-strong crowd at Q2 Stadium.

And Pochettino stressed the importance of a strong connection between fans and team as he looks to build toward the 2026 World Cup.

"It was a massive shock for me to see my face behind the goal, like you say and a different picture," said the Argentine, referring to a banner held up by some fans.

"I think I am so happy; very good connection with the fans.

"That's really important to relate this connection, the team with the fans, that is a thing that is really important. Players need to feel the support."

Pochettino's side had fewer shots than Panama (11 to 13) but mustered more expected goals total (1.7xG to 0.89xG), having created the bigger chances.

"I think it's the basis for the first step, to start to grow and be better," said Pochettino, whose side face Mexico next.

"Now we are going to have a few days to recover and see and to analyse and assess all the players and to take the best decision for the team and for the players playing Tuesday, another tough game.

"I think it was a very professional performance and I think we are happy because I think all the goals that we said before the game, I think that we got and I think it's an important victory. And to start that period with the victory always is very helpful.

"[I am] so happy. Happy because I see the staff and the players made a fantastic show."

Mauricio Pochettino's stint as United States boss got off to a winning start as the Stars and Stripes overcame Panama 2-0.

Saturday's friendly in Austin represented a reunion with Panama for USA, who had lost to the central American team in this year's Copa America.

That defeat ultimately proved crucial in paving the way for a group-stage exit, which led to Gregg Berhalter's dismissal and, eventually, Pochettino's arrival.

Pochettino had to wait until the 49th minute in Austin to see his team score their first goal, with Yunus Musah tucking in his first USA goal from Christian Pulisic's delivery.

Matt Turner pulled off some impressive stops to keep USA ahead, while Puma Rodriguez and Jose Fajardo both saw good chances pass them by.

Deep in second-half stoppage time, USA substitute Pepi settled the contest, sweeping home after a fine pass from Haji Wright.

Data Debrief: Pochettino gets the ball rolling

Pochettino is renowned for front-foot, attacking football, and there was plenty of evidence of the shackles coming off in the first half, with seven different USA players involved in at least one shot, either by having an attempt themselves or creating a chance.

USA finished with 1.7 expected goals (xG) from their 11 shots, and even though Panama had more attempts (13), the visitors only mustered 0.89 xG, showing Pochettino's side limited their opponents in terms of clear-cut opportunities.

Goalscorer Musah became the second player in USA history to play over 3,000 minutes before turning 22, while Pepi once again proved decisive from the bench. He has scored six goals as a substitute in his international career, equalling Pulisic for second-most in team history, behind Eddie Johnson (seven).

Mexico are next up for USA, so Pochettino needs to be ready for an altogether different test.

Former United States boss Gregg Berhalter has been named as the new director of football and head coach of MLS side Chicago Fire. 

Berhalter was sacked as the USMNT head coach nine days after a dismal group-stage exit at the Copa America earlier this year.

The 51-year-old's arrival means Frank Klopas, who is the Fire's current head coach, will step down and transition into a new role as the club's vice president of football.

Berhalter does have previous experience in the MLS, spending five years in charge of the Columbus Crew between 2013 and 2018.

Across his 192 games in charge of the Crew, Berhalter won 76 matches (D46 L70), with his team scoring 287 goals and averaging a win percentage of 38.34%. 

Berhalter then began his first stint as the USMNT head coach in 2018, starting strongly with victories over rivals Mexico in the first-ever Nations League final as well as in the showpiece match of the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

He then guided the USMNT to the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup before they were beaten 3-1 by the Netherlands. 

Berhalter's contract expired in December 2022, but was then brought back six months later with a view to guiding the team through to the 2026 World Cup, which the United States would co-host with Canada and Mexico.

However, Berhalter lasted just 14 games, winning seven of those (D1 L6) and has since been replaced by former Chelsea head coach, Mauricio Pochettino. 

The 51-year-old arrives at an underperforming Chicago side, who currently occupy last place in the Eastern Conference with one game of the regular season remaining. 

The Fire have reached the MLS Cup playoffs just twice in the last 15 years, with this campaign the seventh consecutive season they have failed to feature in the post-season. 

“I’m honoured to be named Director of Football and Head Coach of the Chicago Fire, and I would like to thank Joe Mansueto for his trust," said Berhalter.

“Chicago is an incredible city, built on communities of hard-working and passionate people who truly love soccer.

"I look forward to working alongside our staff and players to transform the Fire into a world-class organisation that all our fans and the city can be proud of and will support.”

Berhalter will officially start his duties for the 2025 MLS season. 

New United States boss Mauricio Pochettino has outlined his ambition to win the World Cup with the co-hosts in two years' time and is excited by the opportunity.

Pochettino was named the manager of the USA on Tuesday in his first role since parting company with Chelsea in May.

The Argentine, who previously enjoyed a successful five-year spell in charge of Tottenham, leading them to a Champions League final, oversaw a sixth-placed Premier League finish in his only season at Stamford Bridge.

And with the USA acting as hosts alongside Canada and Mexico for football's most prestigious tournament in 2026, Pochettino believes his players should harbour ambitions of winning the entire event.

"We need to believe in big things that we can win, not only a game but the World Cup," Pochettino said.

"If we don’t, the journey will be difficult. We have to think big. That is the only way to put your talent in the service of the team. It is a massive challenge."

The USA women's team won the World Cup in 2015 and 2019 and claimed Olympic gold this summer in Emma Hayes' first tournament as manager.

Pochettino, who knows Hayes from the period in which they both managed Chelsea's senior teams, reserved special praise for her, while also wanting his players to be inspired by how successful the women's team had become in recent times.

"In Emma, we have the best coach in the world," said Pochettino.

"The women's team has won everything. We need to match them. They need to be our inspiration, not only with results but in the way they create the philosophy to defend the country, the badge and the culture.

"We want to create something special."

Pochettino's first game in charge will be a friendly versus Panama at the Q2 Stadium in Austin on October 12.

Jesse Marsch is optimistic Mauricio Pochettino will make a "positive impact" following his appointment as the United States' new head coach.

Pochettino was announced on Tuesday as the Stars and Stripes' successor to Gregg Berhalter, who was dismissed following a disappointing group-stage exit at this year's Copa America.

The Argentine has agreed to lead the USA into the 2026 World Cup, which they will co-host with neighbours Canada and Mexico.

Canada boss Marsch was twice linked with taking over the reins of his native nation, but revealed he was not interested in the role "unless there's a big shift in the organisation".

Nevertheless, he feels former Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea head coach Pochettino is undoubtedly the right man to take the country forward.

"I think Pochettino is a good coach. One of his best things is that he's pretty malleable," Marsch said on the latest episode of Call It What You Want.

"He really is pragmatic and tries to get the best out of his teams. He's not married to one system, which you can argue that's good and bad.

"But I think that his focus will be about how to get the best out of his best players, which he had to do at PSG, he had to do at Tottenham, he had to do at Chelsea. And typically, that's been one of the things that he's done well.

"He's gotten really good performances out of his best players and that's helped his team win matches.

"It's yet to be known how it will all turn out, but I would be optimistic that he would be able to have a positive impact on the team and on the sport in the country."

Pochettino's first game in charge will be a friendly versus Panama at the Q2 Stadium in Austin on October 12, before the United States face Mexico three days later.