McKennie calls for toughness in U.S. soccer defense

United States midfielder Weston McKennie has emphasized the need for the U.S. men's national team to bring a sense of "nastiness" to their game. This comes ahead of their Concacaf Nations League semifinal against Panama on Thursday. McKennie believes this attitude is important as the team aims to win the tournament for the fourth consecutive time. McKennie noted that the players are not focused on seeking revenge for last summer's Copa América loss to Panama, where the U.S. lost 2-1. Instead, he mentioned that they view this match as just another opportunity to win. The team recently defeated Panama in a friendly last October, which helps them move forward from the past defeat. When asked about team dynamics under coach Mauricio Pochettino, McKennie said there is a growing understanding of the coach's methods after six months in charge. He highlighted that Pochettino brings a South American style to the team, emphasizing the importance of grit and determination, along with technical skill. Winger Christian Pulisic shared McKennie's views, stressing the importance of integrating "nastiness" into the team's identity. He believes that consistency in training will help the team carry this mentality into games. The U.S. will face a challenging opponent in Panama, who has previously troubled them in matches. Panama defeated the U.S. in a World Cup qualifier in 2021 and won on penalties in the 2023 Gold Cup semifinals. Pulisic acknowledged the strong abilities of Panama's players and stressed the need for a powerful performance from the U.S. to secure a win.