United States manager B.J. Callaghan looks on during the second half against the Panama at Snapdragon Stadium. Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

USMNT crashes out of Gold Cup, ruins Messi's MLS launch party in the process

By Alyssa Clang | Last updated 7/13/23

The U.S. Men's National Team's Gold Cup title defense ended Wednesday night after a tense penalty shootout saw Panama snatch a deserved victory from the USMNT.

It's just the second time in two decades that the USMNT has failed to make the Gold Cup Final.

"We're not a group that's going to make excuses," interim coach B.J. Callaghan told the press after the loss.

"… We tried to remain true to our identity. We wanted to go out and press. Panama, they're a really well-coached team. They're really experienced. They've been together a long time. So they were able to cause us challenges, and in the wide areas, it was difficult for us to get those long diagonals in the first half, and we expended a lot of energy."

Jesus Ferreira scored the U.S.'s only goal in the 105th minute. In a tournament with few positive takeaways for the U.S., Ferreira remained a bright spot from his first game to his last. His extra-time screamer was his seventh goal of the competition.

JESUS FERREIRA TIES IT FOR USA!!!!! @StoolFootball pic.twitter.com/GjykFOObVz
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) July 13, 2023

The USMNT squad that played at the Gold Cup was, thankfully, a B team. Stars like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Folarin Balogun sat it out to give younger players the opportunity to earn experience. Callaghan believes that experience will prove worthwhile even if it led to this embarrassing early knockout.

"Each player was given the opportunity to gain this experience," he said. "And I hope that they take it, they learn the lessons from it, and it catapults them back into putting in good performances with their club."

The U.S.'s early exit from the Gold Cup is disappointing for American fans everywhere, but it's also disappointing to two unexpected parties: MLS and Lionel Messi.

The two planned to air Messi's scheduled Miami welcome ceremony during halftime of the Gold Cup Final Sunday.

If the U.S. had made the final, viewership numbers would be high — and the promise of Messi could make them skyrocket. With the match set to take place between Panama and Mexico, however, few American fans are expected to tune in.

Messi may have to wait to make his official debut in America, and the USMNT will certainly have to wait to prove it's ready to compete with the best at its home World Cup in 2026.

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