It’s time for Mauricio Pochettino’s first real test as manager of the U.S Men’s National Team (USMNT), and in a way, it’s fitting that his opponent in the Concacaf Nations League Semifinal is Panama, who shocked the U.S and defeated them on home soil in Copa America. 

On the other side of the bracket, we have a surging Canada who has a lot of momentum coming into this tournament going against a Mexican team with a lot of questions that will need to be answered. Here are my predictions for both semifinals, the third-place match, and of course, the final.

Semifinal 1: USA 3-1 Panama

I don’t think this game will be particularly close. The USA have a chip on their shoulder considering what happened in Copa America last summer. Although the United States will be missing some key players at the striker position, Panama are also going through a bit of a crisis. Their only true creator is Coco Carrasquilla, and if they are able to limit him, then the path to victory is clear. I expect Pulisic and Weah to score, and maybe Tyler Adams scores another long range goal in the Concacaf Nations League. 

Semifinal 2: Canada 1-0 Mexico

As I mentioned earlier, Canada under Jesse Marsch are riding a great run of form, and if they play the way they did during Copa America, it will be tough for Mexico, a team with so much potential but so many doubts regarding their true level, to surpass them. I expect this game to be close, but in the end, the Canadians will have a little more fight in them to edge out a 1-0 win.

Third Place Match: Mexico 2-1 Panama

Mexico will always be Mexico, and I feel like Panama will not be strong enough for a Mexican team that will be motivated to grab a bit of a consolation prize after losing to Canada. I do feel like the Panamanians will try to play spoiler and will score a goal near the end to make it interesting, but all things considered, Mexico are still levels above the vast majority of Concacaf teams, Panama included. 

Final: USA 2-0 Canada

There is nothing more fitting than Mauricio winning his first title as USA manager with a “dos a zero” scoreline. The key will be the defense; with Sergino Dest still absent from the squad, the U.S will have to rely on a depleted core of defensive players when it comes to guarding the wings and blocking any possible passes towards Canada’s Jonathan David. If they can take out Canada’s star man up top, I like the USA’s chances, even without someone like Pepi or Balogun who are absent from the roster. 

Now I turn the conversation to y’all: Who do you think will be the winner of the Concacaf Nations League?