Yunus Musah is a player who always seems to have a smile on his face. The 21-year-old midfielder’s happy expression is a constant presence, but on Saturday night in Austin, Texas, that smile grew even wider as he scored his first goal for the U.S. senior men’s national team in his 42nd appearance. The sense of gratification was evident on his face, even for someone who is typically so cheerful.
Christian Pulisic, Musah’s teammate at AC Milan and the USMNT, provided the assist for the goal, and he emphasized the significance of that moment. “That moment,” Pulisic said, “that’s why you play.”
The goal, which came in the 49th minute of a 2-0 friendly win against Panama, was also a testament to the instincts of the team’s new head coach, Mauricio Pochettino. The 52-year-old Argentinian coach had come into his first camp with the intention of getting to know each player on the roster and understanding where they stood. This personalized approach led to decisions like keeping Weston McKennie on the bench due to concerns about his fitness, and testing Musah in a new role on the field.
Musah, who had played minimal minutes for Milan in recent weeks, was deployed on the right side by Pochettino, a position he had experience in from his time at Arsenal’s academy and Valencia. This tactical change allowed Musah to showcase his attacking abilities without the pressure of being a key part of the team’s build-up play.
The strategy paid off when Musah scored the crucial goal after a build-up down the left side involving Antonee Robinson, Pulisic, and Brenden Aaronson. Pochettino’s decision to give Musah a different role and build his confidence proved to be a masterstroke.
Confidence was indeed the theme of the night under Pochettino. The coach emphasized the importance of players being themselves, embracing their strengths, and playing with freedom. This approach was evident in the team’s performance against Panama, with players moving well, passing intricately, and showing confidence in their abilities.
While the game was not without its challenges, with Panama creating good chances and the U.S. making some mistakes in the build-up, the team emerged victorious with a 2-0 win. The result was a much-needed boost for a squad that had been winless in its previous four games.
Pochettino will see this win as a crucial step in building trust and confidence in his methods. Musah’s goal was a clear sign that the coach’s ideas are starting to take root within the team.
As Pochettino looks ahead, his focus will be on continuing to build on this success and guiding the team towards further growth and improvement. The win against Panama was just the first step on what promises to be an exciting journey for the USMNT under their new head coach.
(Photo: John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images)
