In a thrilling match in Inglewood, California, Cecilio Waterman scored a spectacular goal in the dying minutes of injury time in the second half, leading Panama to a 1-0 victory over the three-time champion United States. This win secured Panama’s spot in the CONCACAF Nations League final against Mexico on Sunday.
Waterman received a precise pass from Adalberto Carrasquilla on the right side and unleashed a perfect right-footed shot that found the far left corner past goalkeeper Matt Turner. This goal, his 11th at the international level and Panama’s only shot on target that night, marked a historic moment for Waterman and his team.
Celebrating the victory in dramatic fashion, Waterman ripped off his jersey, leaped over the advertising boards, and joined the broadcast stage to share the moment with former player Thierry Henry. The Panamanian striker expressed his joy, calling it an incredible achievement in his career.
Coach Thomas Christiansen’s Panama team, known as Los Canaleros, has consistently surpassed expectations under his leadership. This victory against the U.S. was their third consecutive win in competitive matches, following previous successes in the CONCACAF Gold Cup and the Copa America.
The defeat was a setback for U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino, who took over from Gregg Berhalter six months earlier. Pochettino expressed disappointment in his team’s performance, particularly in the lack of aggression and slow pace during the match.
Despite missing key players like Sergiño Dest and Antonee Robinson due to injuries, the U.S. had opportunities to equalize, with Tyler Adams coming close in injury time. However, the Americans couldn’t find the back of the net, allowing Panama to secure a historic victory at SoFi Stadium.
The loss ended the U.S.’s reign in the CONCACAF Nations League, as they had won the previous three editions of the tournament. Panama’s tactical discipline, organization, and a bit of luck proved crucial in overcoming the American team and advancing to the final.
Sargent was ruled offside in the 19th minute after a close call, and Weston McKennie’s subsequent header was saved by the goalkeeper. Sargent managed to find the back of the net in the 24th minute, but the goal was disallowed due to an earlier offside decision. This marked Sargent’s first goal for the U.S. in over 5 years.
