Panama stuns US 1-0 on Waterman's
late goal, eliminating Americans from CONCACAF Nations League
[March 21, 2025]
By GREG BEACHAM
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Cecilio Waterman scored a stunning goal in
the fourth minute of second-half injury time, and Panama beat the
three-time defending champion United States 1-0 on Thursday night to
reach the CONCACAF Nations League final.
Waterman took a pass down the right side from Adalberto Carrasquilla
in front of a packed-in U.S. defense and fired a perfect
right-footed diagonal shot past Matt Turner into the far left
corner. Waterman's 11th international goal, on Panama's only shot on
target on the night, advanced the Panamanians to a final Sunday
against Mexico.
“Many good things have happened to me in my career, but this one is
different,” Waterman said. “This one was incredible.”
Waterman, a 33-year-old striker who plays professionally in Chile,
ripped off his jersey and hurdled the advertising end boards before
climbing up onto a broadcast stage to celebrate with Thierry Henry,
who looked just as stunned as the rest of the crowd at SoFi Stadium.
“You are my idol!” Waterman repeatedly shouted in Spanish before
hugging Henry, an Arsenal great.
Waterman took his own step toward idol status as Panama beat the
U.S. for the third straight time in competitive matches, following
wins in a 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal and the group stage of
last year’s Copa America. Coach Thomas Christiansen's club has
repeatedly exceeded expectations during his tenure, and this victory
was only the latest remarkable achievement for Los Canaleros, who
beat Costa Rica on the road last November in the Nations League
quarterfinals.
“This is the third time we have been in this position,” Waterman
said. “This time, we want to give that gift to Panama. We want to
achieve something for them, for Central America.”
The loss at a half-empty SoFi Stadium was a big stumble for U.S.
coach Mauricio Pochettino, who replaced Gregg Berhalter six months
ago after the Americans’ first-round exit at the Copa America.
After Sunday’s third-place match against Canada, Pochettino will
have his full player pool for just five training camps before the
team gathers ahead of the World Cup.
“I'm very disappointed, because I don't think the way we approached
the game was the right way,” Pochettino said. “The first half, I
think we played too slow. We didn't show aggression with the ball,
and the consequence not to show aggression with the ball, we also
didn't show aggression in a defensive way.”
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Panama's Cecilio Waterman Ruiz, left, celebrates with Panama's
Anibal Godoy Lemus after he scored against the United States during
the second half of a CONCACAF Nations League semifinal soccer match
Thursday, March 20, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Etienne
Laurent)
The Americans, without outside backs Sergiño Dest
and Antonee Robinson because of injuries, nearly tied it in the
eighth minute of injury time but Tyler Adams missed the net on a
clean shot from just outside the penalty area off a cross from
Christian Pulisic. Adams returned to the national team for the first
time since the Copa America after recovering from back surgery.
Panama earned one of the biggest wins in its soccer history at the
same stadium where Los Canaleros lost the 2023 Gold Cup final to
Mexico on a late goal by Santi Giménez. Three days before that
match, Panama also upset the U.S. 5-4 on penalty kicks in a
semifinal.
“I think the guys played a great match,” Christiansen said. “The
only way to beat the U.S. is with tactical discipline and order, and
then a little luck. That has to be with you, and it was with us this
time.”
For the first time, the CONCACAF Nations League trophy won't stay in
the U.S. The Americans won the first three editions of this
tournament, which only began in 2019.
The Americans had the best chances in the first half, but came up
empty.
Josh Sargent put a shot off a post in the 19th minute, and Weston
McKennie's header moments later went straight to the keeper. Sargent
then scored in the 24th minute, but the U.S. was ruled offside in
the buildup several seconds earlier.
Sargent hasn't scored for the U.S. in 5 1/2 years.
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