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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>USMNT taking on Panama</li><li>Pochettino's first XI released</li><li>Tim Ream is captain, no Weston McKennie</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Mauricio Pochettino names his first USMNT starting XI with Tim Ream as captain, Gianluca Busio starting, Weston McKennie on the bench

CONCACAF Nations League

Jamaica

Panama

Costa Rica

<p>Mauricio Pochettino named his first-ever Starting XI for the USMNT Saturday night ahead of its match against Panama.</p><p>He named Charlotte FC defender Tim Ream his captain, while Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie was pushed to the bench in favor of Yunus Musah, Aidan Morris and Gianluca Busio in the center of the park. As expected, AC Milan's Christian Pulisic was named to the team as well.</p><p>“It’s a continuation of what I’ve been doing," Ream told TNT on being named captain. "We had a lot of good conversations and it’s just about using experience, using your head, keeping calm and leading the guys into a new beginning.”</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The first <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USMNT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USMNT</a> starting XI of the Pochettino era 🇺🇸<br><br>Lineup Notes ⤵️</p>— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) <a href="https://twitter.com/USMNT/status/1845248603994063210?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2024</a></blockquote>
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WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Without attackers Folarin Balogun and Tim Weah available, as <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-au/lists/folarin-balogun-usmnt-injury/blt67df2373c7228a85" target="_self">both are dealing with their own respective injuries</a>, Norwich City striker Josh Sargent was handed the start at forward while Leeds United's Brenden Aaronson was given the nod opposite of Pulisic.</p><p>Pulisic said the focus is on getting excitement back within the team, telling TNT that can be done "by putting on a good performance, you know. Playing a style that looks good, can get the fans excited, and definitely by getting good results.”</p><p>Defensively, the fullback pairing is Fulham's Antonee Robinson and Gladbach's Joe Scally; the same duo that started every match for the USMNT at Copa America 2024. Alongside Ream centrally will be Toulouse defender Mark McKenzie, who gets the shout over the likes of Miles Robinson and Auston Trusty at center back.</p><p>Crystal Palace's Matt Turner was handed the nod in net over shotstoppers Patrick Schulte and Ethan Horvath, who are the two available goalkeepers off the bench. Zack Steffen and Marlon Fossey weren't in the squad due to minor injuries according to U.S. Soccer.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Saturday will be Ream's 11th time captaining the USMNT, and at age 37, he becomes the 10th USMNT field player to earn a cap past their 37th birthday. He's the first since Sept. 5, 2001 when Preki did so.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>“That is what we want to see: fight for each other, fight like one team, help communication. We are simple in our message now to play … to score goals, to win the game, that is important, yes. But we need to start to send the message to the world that we are a team that is going to be difficult to beat," Pochettino said to TNT in their pregame broadcast.</p><p>“Tonight is amazing. I feel very happy, very excited … this is the first game that we are going to be in charge, and we don’t want to disappoint the people, the fans. We want to win the game, we want to compete. We want to be a very good team… for us it’s to become relaxed, believe in the way we are going to play and our options. We have talented players that can develop a very good game tonight.”</p>

WHAT POCHETTINO SAID

<p>The U.S. will clash with Panama Saturday evening, before turning their attention to Mexico on Tuesday, where Pochettino and the USMNT will clash with El Tri in Guadalajara.</p><p>Both matches are deemed international friendlies, but come November, the first competitive matches under Pochettino's reign will arrive in the quarterfinals of the 2024-25 CONCACAF Nations League.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR THE USMNT?

Mauricio Pochettino names his first USMNT starting XI with Tim Ream as captain, Gianluca Busio starting, Weston McKennie on the bench | Goal.com

The U.S. take on Panama Saturday evening in the Argentine manager&apos;s debut on the touchline, with his teamsheet now revealed.