When Panama defeated the U.S.A. in the Copa America 2024, fans stepped back to accept the team needed some major rebuilding. No team feared the USMNT, and they had a steady decline for the past decade. While the USWNT remains the benchmark for women’s soccer teams, the USMNT can’t reach those levels. Hence, Mauricio Pochettino’s hiring could prove different after he earned his first victory.

Thanks to goals from Yunus Musah and Ricardo Pepi, the USMNT exacted revenge on Panama and the team undoubtedly performed well. Well, not very well, according to some.

Former USMNT player Charlie Davis gave his post-match analysis about the game and remains unimpressed. In the CBS Sports’ Golazo America Call It What You Want segment, Davis detailed the journey it takes for Mauricio Pochettino to take this team to the promised land. He mentioned, “So, for a first match in the silence for Mauricio Pochettino, I’m happy that they won 2-0, and there were some good things we saw. But, a long way to go.”

For starters, when we saw the match, some major improvements took center stage. With Weston McKennie out injured, the midfield worked effortlessly well. Pochettino couldn’t have wished for a better start. Yet, Rome was not built in a day! Much work lies ahead for the team to get consistent, alive, and kicking. Not all’s lost, though. There were some good moments, according to Davis.

Mauricio Pochettino brings some structure to the USMNT!

Davis continued in the podcast, “It’s kind of what we expected. A lot of new wrinkles. A lot of new demands. Seeing players in different positions. A perfect example is Yunus Musah playing in that right-wing, right midfield type of position which we haven’t seen him in with the US men’s national team.” Notably, Musah came in from the right wing to tap into the goal from a low cross. With versatility becoming a positive trait for the player, Musah can become a regular starter on the right wing for the USMNT.

“But again, were you blown away by the performances today? No. But we’ve been preaching patience all along,” ended Davis. To an extent, they did a good job, Poch and Co. However, the game against Mexico is a proper test, with all respect to Panama. Some players can take you to the edge and Pochettino would want his squad to be ready.

For a couple of positives, structure. The structure of the USMNT became the key talking point. Earlier, the defending was unorganized, and they conceded several goals. Pochettino builds his team around defense and this performance is just a confidence booster for The Star and Stripes.

And yes fans, they will improve. Good times for the USMNT, one must say!