Panama and Mexico Stun USA and Canada in CONCACAF Nations League Semifinals at SoFi Stadium

Orlando Mosquera celebrating the win for Panama against USMNT

March 20, 2025, will be remembered as a night of shocks in North American soccer, as the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, delivered unexpected results. The United States Men’s National Team (USMNT), three-time defending champions, fell 1-0 to Panama in a dramatic finish, while Canada suffered a 2-0 defeat to Mexico in the nightcap. Both matches showcased the growing competitiveness of the region, ending the hopes of the U.S. and Canada for a spot in the final and setting up an intriguing Panama-Mexico showdown on Sunday, March 23.

Patrick Agyemang fell to his knee after missing a goal scoring opportunity to give USMNT the lead

USA 0-1 Panama: A Late Dagger Ends American Dreams

The USMNT entered the semifinal as heavy favorites, riding a wave of confidence under new head coach Mauricio Pochettino and aiming for a fourth consecutive Nations League title. Facing Panama, a team they had beaten 2-0 in a friendly just five months prior, the Americans controlled possession and created several chances throughout the match. However, Panama’s disciplined backline and resolute defending frustrated the U.S. attack, keeping the score level at 0-0 deep into stoppage time.

The turning point came in the 94th minute when a defensive miscue by the U.S. allowed Panama substitute Cecilio Waterman to capitalize. Receiving the ball on the right side of the penalty area, Waterman curled a precise shot into the bottom left corner past goalkeeper Matt Turner, silencing the SoFi Stadium USA crowd. The goal sparked wild celebrations among the Panamanian players and their supporters, marking a historic moment as Panama became the first Central American team to reach the Nations League final.

Christian Pulisic and Chris Richards walking to the tunnel in the first half brake

For the U.S., the loss was a bitter pill to swallow. Despite dominating much of the game, they failed to convert their opportunities, with close calls from Josh Sargent and Christian Pulisic either saved or ruled offside. Post-match, Pochettino emphasized the need for improvement, stating, “We are USA. You cannot win with your shirt… you need to show, be better, and suffer to win the duels. If not, it’s not going to be enough.” The defeat ends the USMNT’s Nations League reign and shifts their focus to the third-place match on Sunday, with the CONCACAF Gold Cup later this summer now their only remaining chance for silverware before co-hosting the 2026 World Cup.

Panama’s victory adds another chapter to their recent success against the U.S., having knocked them out of the 2023 Gold Cup semifinals and the 2024 Copa América group stage. Los Canaleros, led by coach Thomas Christiansen, have proven themselves a formidable force, and their resilience in Inglewood has earned them a shot at the regional title.

Raul Jiménez celebrating his goal against Canada in less than two minutes into first half!

Canada 0-2 Mexico: Jiménez Shines as El Tri Advance

In the second semifinal, Canada faced off against Mexico in a match that promised intensity given the growing rivalry between the two nations. Canada, ranked first among the semifinalists based on their quarterfinal performance (6 points, +4 goal difference), had been unbeaten in their last three meetings with Mexico, including results from 2022 World Cup qualifying. However, Mexico turned the tables on Thursday night, with veteran striker Raúl Jiménez delivering a masterclass to secure a 2-0 victory.

Jiménez opened the scoring in the first minute, pouncing on a loose ball in the box to fire a right-footed shot past Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau. The early strike set the tone for Mexico’s dominance, as they pressed high and controlled the tempo. Canada struggled to find their rhythm, unable to muster a significant response despite the efforts of stars like Jonathan David and Alphonso Davies.

Jiménez getting fouled by Johnston of Canada

The second goal came in the 75th minute, when Jiménez stepped up to take a free kick just outside the penalty area. With precision and power, he curled the ball over the Canadian wall and into the top right corner, leaving Crépeau with no chance. The 2-0 scoreline held firm, sending Mexico to their third Nations League final—and second consecutive—while Canada was left to rue missed opportunities.

Mexico’s triumph was fueled by a passionate crowd at SoFi Stadium, with an estimated 55,000 fans—many waving green, white, and red flags—turning the venue into a sea of support. The win reaffirms El Tri’s status as a regional powerhouse and sets up a rematch of the 2023 Gold Cup final, where they defeated Panama 1-0.

Carlos Rodríguez trying to win the ball from Alphonso Davies

What’s Next?

The semifinals showcased the unpredictability and rising parity in CONCACAF. Panama’s late heroics and Mexico’s clinical performance have paved the way for a highly anticipated final on Sunday, March 23, at 6:30 PM PT. The two teams bring contrasting styles—Panama’s gritty, counterattacking approach against Mexico’s technical flair—promising a thrilling conclusion to the tournament. Meanwhile, the U.S. and Canada will face off earlier that day at 3:00 PM PT in the third-place match, each looking to salvage pride after their semifinal disappointments.

SoFi Stadium, hosting its first Nations League matches, proved a fitting stage for the drama, with its state-of-the-art facilities and electric atmosphere. The results from March 20 underscore that no team can take victory for granted in this competition, setting the stage for an unforgettable finale to the 2025 CONCACAF Nations League.

Panama team huddling before the start of second half against USMNT

As the dust settles on a night of upsets, fans across the region are already looking ahead to Sunday, where either Panama will claim their first-ever Nations League title or Mexico will add another trophy to their storied cabinet. For the U.S. and Canada, it’s back to the drawing board as they prepare for future challenges, including the looming 2026 World Cup on home soil.