Austin – The USMNT rang in the Mauricio Pochettino era with a 2-0 win over Panama at Q2 Stadium in Austin on Saturday night.

Yunus Musah finished a beautiful setup play on a centering pass from Christian Pulisic to up the US up 1-0.

“I told him it was goal-scoring instincts. He’s been watching me,” said Pulisic, “He’s been learning a thing or two. But honestly, that moment … it’s great to see that.

It wasn’t until stoppage time that the Stars and Stripes would seal the game when Ricardo Pepi buried the second goal of the night.

Matt Turner had a clean sheet in goal making three key saves to keep Panama off the scoresheet.

“I think it was a very professional performance and I think we are happy because I think all the goals that we said before the game, I think that we got and I think it’s an important victory,” Pochettino said.”And to start that period with the victory always is very helpful.

Pochettino also pointed out the 20,239-person crowd at Q2 stadium. It was a massive shock for me to see my face [on a sign] behind the goal, like you say, and a different picture,” he said. “I think I am so happy; very good connection with the fans.

“That’s really important to relate this connection, the team with the fans, that is a thing that is really important. Players need to feel the support.”

Overall, the play we saw from the USMNT is something that Pochettino was delighted with in his first game at the helm.

“I think it’s the basis for the first step, to start to grow and be better,” he said. “Now we are going to have a few days to recover and see and to analyze and assess all the players and to take the best decision for the team and for the players playing Tuesday, another tough game.”

Said game on Tuesday will come when the States travel across the southern border to take on rival Mexico in Guadalajara.