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<ul><li>Lalas criticized the team's lackluster performance</li><li>USMNT won previous three Nations League trophies</li><li>Pochettino's tactics, player selection come under scrutiny</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

'This is not good enough' – Alexi Lalas calls out USMNT's players and Mauricio Pochettino following 'rudderless' and 'disgraceful' CONCACAF Nations League loss to Panama

The USMNT suffered a surprising 1-0 loss to Panama in the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals at SoFi Stadium on Thursday. A 94th-minute goal from Cecilio Waterman sealed the victory for Panama, ending the United States' hopes of a fourth consecutive Nations League title. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/usmnt-rondo-how-bad-is-loss-panama-is-mauricio-pochettino-blame-and-should-alarm-bells-be-ringing-ahead-2026-world-cup/blta5e411e1d9ae6d3d" target="_blank">The result shocked USMNT fans</a>, especially as many expected Mauricio Pochettino’s side to stroll into the final. Former USMNT star Alexi Lalas hit out at the performance, calling it “rudderless” and placing the blame both on the players and the Argentine coach.“It was rudderless from top to bottom, and not just the score, the individual performances. This is on the players and this is on Pochettino. Is the sky falling? No. There’s a third-place game to be played... and obviously we’re 400 and something days until the World Cup next summer. But this is not good enough," Lalas said on his State of the Union podcast.

WHAT HAPPENED

Lalas said U.S. fans expect more from Pochettino and his squad.“Mauricio Pochettino’s job is to make us believe that something different is there," he said. "That something new is there. That we are going to see something that we haven’t seen before. And guess what, my friends? We’ve seen that before. We do not want to see it again... This U.S. team came out against Panama and fell flat on their face. It is disgraceful. Again, not the end of the world, but things have got to get better and they have to get better fast."

WHAT LALAS SAID

Panama's Cecilio Waterman scored the decisive goal in the 94th minute. The USMNT's performance was lackluster, with sterile passing and poor set-piece deliveries.<a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/forget-the-platitudes-about-grit-and-passion-and-fight-mauricio-pochettino-and-usmnt-failed-to-defend-the-concacaf-nations-league-title-not-because-of-rhetoric-but-familiar-tactical-shortcomings/bltae3060b0732ad3bd" target="_blank">The U.S. struggled to create quality chances</a>, with only Josh Sargent coming close in the 19th minute, despite putting five shots on target. Panama's well-organized 5-4-1 formation effectively neutralized the U.S. attack.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Following Canada’s loss to Mexico in the other CONCACAF Nations League semifinal, the USMNT will face the Reds in the third-place match at 6 pm ET Sunday in Los Angeles. Panama and Mexico will play in the tournament's final later Sunday night.

WHAT’S NEXT?

'This is not good enough' – Alexi Lalas calls out USMNT's players and Mauricio Pochettino following 'rudderless' and 'disgraceful' CONCACAF Nations League loss to Panama | Goal.com

The former USMNT star didn&apos;t mince words following the team&apos;s shocking 1-0 defeat to Panama in the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals

&apos;This is not good enough&apos; – Alexi Lalas calls out USMNT&apos;s players and Mauricio Pochettino following &apos;rudderless&apos; and &apos;disgraceful&apos; CONCACAF Nations League loss to Panama