All eyes will be on the U.S. men's national team friendly clash against Panama this weekend to see Mauricio Pochettino take the touchline for the first time as the team's new head coach.
The Stars and Stripes' last two encounters against Panama didn't exactly go to plan. Juventus forward Tim Weah—who's set to miss the upcoming match through injury—was sent off as the USMNT fell 2–1 in the 2024 Copa América group stage. In the summer of 2023, USMNT was unable to get past Panama in the Gold Cup semi finals, coming up short on penalty kicks.
Although it might be a friendly match on paper, USA might have a chip on its shoulder to get one back over its CONCACAF foes while players will be eager to impress the new boss in the dugout.
Given the current available players in Pochettino's first squad as head coach, it seems like he'll more than likely roll with a 4-3-3 setup potentially playing Christian Pulisic on the right-hand side to integrate rising star Malik Tillman into the frontline. With Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards out through injury, ex-Atlanta United defender Miles Robinson could take his place in defense next to the veteran Tim Ream.
Here's how Pochettino's XI could look in his first match as USMNT boss.
