AUSTIN, Texas — Mauricio Pochettino arrived at Q2 Stadium to see posters and banners with his face around the stands and behind a goal.

By the time he left, he greeted the fans cheering his name. The 52-year-old Argentinian’s debut as US coach was a public success.

Yunus Musah scored a goal in the 49th minute after an assist from AC Milan teammate Christian Pulisic and Ricardo Pepi added a stoppage-time goal to seal the 2-0 win over Panama on Saturday evening.

The match before a near-capacity crowd of 20,239 was the first of two friendlies for the U.S. in a four-day span, including a match against Mexico on Tuesday in Guadalajara. The Americans ended a four-game winless streak and their first four-game winless streak since a seven-game defeat in 2010-11.

“Building something little by little. The target is 2026,” Pochettino said. “It’s just the first step.”

And the love at first sight from the American fans?

“Amazing. Amazing. Thank you to the fans. You were amazing,” said Pochettino.

The former Tottenham, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain manager was hired last month to replace Gregg Berhalter, who was sacked in July after being eliminated in the first round of the Copa America. Pochettino was signed for the 2026 World Cup, which the US will co-host, and is tasked with coaching a team that has not reached the World Cup quarter-finals since 2002.

Musah made the most of the team’s fresh start, scoring his first goal in 42 international appearances.

“Hopefully there will be more to come,” Musah said.

Antonee Robinson worked around defender Michael Murillo on the left flank and centered to Pulisic, who exchanged passes with Brenden Aaronson and delivered a one-time cross. Musah beat defender César Blackman and sent the ball past Orlando Mosquera with a right-foot volley from 4 yards.

“I told him it was goal instinct. He has been keeping an eye on me,” said Pulisic, who has scored five goals in seven Serie A games this season. ‘He’s learned a thing or two. But honestly, that moment… it’s amazing to see that.”

Pulisic played for his eighth American coach, a record for an American player. The US was missing injured regulars Sergiño Dest, Tyler Adams, Gio Reyna, Tim Weah and Folarin Balogun.

Three substitutions in the second half combined to score the second goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Malik Tillman brought down a kick from goalkeeper Matt Turner and passed to Haji Wright, who crossed. Texas native Pepi slotted the ball through Mosquera’s legs for his 11th goal in 31 appearances – his fourth in three international matches in Austin.

Turner, who played all four matches at the 2022 World Cup, made a double save in the 52nd minute, punching Puma Rodríguez’s shot with his left hand and then diving back forward to body his body in front of Yoel Bárcenas’ attempt from the rebound. to get .

Panama’s José Fajardo shot wide in the 87th minute. The US had 55% possession and were outshot 13-11.

“It was a good evening, but I don’t want to get too ahead of myself,” Turner said. “It was a building block for the future. It certainly wasn’t perfect.”

Panama had defeated the US in the group stage of the Copa America, a match in which Weah received an early red card for punching an opponent.

“I didn’t feel many changes. But if a new coach comes in, it’s definitely a win, and that’s what happened,” Panama coach Thomas Christiansen said. “He will also need time to adapt his ideas to the team. He has the knowledge and experience, and he has the players to get the job done.”

Tim Ream captained the Americans a week after his 37th birthday, becoming the oldest American outfielder since Preki Radosavljević in 2001. Forward Josh Sargent made his first start since the 2022 group stage final against Iran.

Mexican referee Katia Garcia would be the first woman to referee a U.S. men’s national team match.

Goalkeeper Zack Steffen, who has not played for the US since the last World Cup qualifier in March 2022, did not dress due to what the US Football Association said was a minor injury. Defender Marlon Fossey, who has not trained on the field in recent days, also did not dress. Weston McKennie did not play because he arrived in camp, Pochettino said.