Panama Defeats USMNT 1-0 to Reach Concacaf Nations League Final

Cecilio Waterman's stoppage-time goal ends the USMNT's three-time championship streak and highlights Panama's rise in regional soccer.

Cecilio Waterman scored the decisive goal in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time, securing Panama's place in the final against Canada or Mexico.
The loss marks the USMNT's third consecutive competitive defeat to Panama, following losses in the 2023 Gold Cup and 2024 Copa América.
Despite dominating possession with nearly 70% of the ball, the USMNT struggled to convert chances, including a disallowed goal by Josh Sargent.
This was coach Mauricio Pochettino's first competitive loss since taking charge of the USMNT in September 2024, raising questions about the team's offensive approach.
Panama's victory underscores their growing competitiveness in Concacaf, breaking the USMNT's dominance in the Nations League since its inception in 2019.