AUSTIN, Texas — Yes, that was really him.

Fans already had the image of Mauricio Pochettino hung up in Q2 Stadium, but the man appeared in the flesh. As his name was announced over the loudspeakers, they gave the loudest ovation of the entire pre-match presentation, and he came out of the dugout to wave and applaud in gratitude for the reception.

Pochettino already has spoken about establishing a strong connection with U.S. fans, but he's been around the sport to know there's a direct way to supporters' hearts: Win.

That's what he did Saturday night, with the United States beating Panama 2-0 in a friendly match, waiving once again as the fans chanted "Poch-et-ti-no" (clap, clap, clap clap clap) after the victory.

It was a match in which the most notable detail always would be Pochettino's debut, and it's hard to imagine many will remember much other than that factoid on June 12, 2026 when fans at SoFi Stadium in Southern California should serenade Pochettino ahead of the Americans' first World Cup match.

Yet, here in the present, there was plenty to learn from this first match. Let's take a look at five takeaways from Pochettino's United States debut:

Poch Didn't Waste Any Time Making Changes

It was easy to think there wouldn't be many big changes to the U.S. in the Argentine manager's debut after Pochettino nodded at previous U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter's tenure as successful in his prematch news conference

His counterpart, Panama manager Thomas Christiansen, knows him well after they did their coaching licenses together. "What he'll see in the U.S. is a team that can perfectly adapt to his style. Maybe before it was a 4-3-3. It could be the same and a defensive pivot to have more of a 4-2-3-1, but I don't think he'll have - for example - a back five," Christiansen said before the match.

Pochettino utilized Yunus Musah, typically a two-way midfielder who sticks in the center, as almost a right wingback in what played like a 3-4-3 when the U.S. had the ball. Without it, the U.S. often was defending with five.

Right back Joe Scally stayed back to join the center backs when Musah would get forward as left back Jedi Robinson ran the lines on the other side - or stuck to the center backs as well when appropriate.

The tactical tweak paid off when Musah scored the game's first goal in the 49th minute, his first in 42 U.S. appearances.

Jedi Robinson kept a ball in on the left side and moved it to Christian Pulisic. The attacker played a one-two and crossed for the arriving Musah, who leaped and put his volley into the back of the net.

Pochettino had seen Musah in a similar role as the young midfielder came through the Arsenal and Valencia academies and felt taking the responsibility for him to advance the ball would help him build confidence as

"It makes me feel like he knows me and has followed my path! It's nice he knows a lot about my journey. Today, he gave me the confidence to play. Every player wants that. It's nice," Musuah told B/R after. "I think it was a success."

Is this how Pochettino always will play? No, but it showed he's not afraid to try something ambitious, even without spending loads of time with his team before a match. That's something that should get fans excited about the variety of looks the new manager will deploy and what the future may bring.

This Team Will Be Pulisic-Powered - No Matter Who's Coaching It

You don't need to be as bright of a soccer mind as Pochettino to get a few things right when it comes to this U.S. team - namely that the team should revolve around Christian Pulisic.

The in-form AC Milan attacker started and played an hour, with much of the attacking play revolving around him. When he didn't have the ball, he constantly was getting into good places and asking for it,

His hunger to create danger was on full display as he set up AC Milan teammate Musah for the goal. He turned on the ball, found a quick pass in a tight space, and then exploded forward to give an option that ended with him setting up a goal.

Now, it's about getting the rest of the team to continue to understand how to win back the ball after it's lost - a key of past Pochettino projects - and to keep them in the habit of putting the ball at Pulisic's feet in dangerous spaces.

"I think we just want to find more times to build more pressure on them," Pulisic said. "I think at times we're dropping off. We stayed compact and didn't give them too much, but there are times we want to also build more pressure to have more time on the ball."

The Communication Will Be Ongoing as Players Adjust to the Manager

In the seventh minute of the match, U.S. goalkeeper Matt Turner picked up the ball and studied his options for distribution. Midfielder Gianluca Busio put his palm upward to indicate he could receive the ball. Instead, Turner tried a different pass, booting the ball to the wing. It didn't result in a dangerous attack, but Pochettino held his hand up in the goalkeeper's direction. Then, at the next stoppage, he shouted for Turner's attention and clapped his hands together.

He grabbed a player's attention again in the second half. With Musah running down the side of the field in front of the technical area, Pochettino got his attention and had a quick word with him.

"After a few days training with the team, I think it's amazing the way they were focused and concentrated to try to follow the plan," the manager said.

But that doesn't mean he won't continue to try and make sure they understand what's happening during the game - even if it's just a moment of reassurance.

The U.S. Still Needs a Forward to Step Up as 'The Guy'

With Folarin Balogun unable to come into camp because of an injury, Pochettino's first-choice forward was going to be an interesting spot to watch.

Josh Sargent ended up getting the nod, but he wasn't able to put his opportunities on frame.

Even when the Monaco forward is fit, there still is a question about which No. 9 will become the starter up top for the U.S. While an in-form Balogun eases some of the concerns, it's a position that was a problem spot under previous managers and could cause Pochettino headaches as well unless someone emerges as a reliable finisher.

Ricardo Pepi scored a late goal and looks well-positioned to earn more opportunities from the new manager.

"Just being able to come onto the pitch and score in front of friends and family is always special," Pepi, a Texas native, told B/R after the match. "I've said so many times that no matter my role on the pitch, I'm going to try to position myself in the best spots possible for me to be able to succeed.

"When you have a new coach, it's always a little different. You have to try to get to know the chemistry a little bit. I think so far, so good, and we're very excited to see what the future holds for us."

It sounds basic, but the job of a forward is to score goals. Whoever can do that will keep getting opportunities.

Turner Gives the United States Sure Hands in Goal, but Will Club Status Produce Rust?

While it was a good start for the U.S., Panama hardly was played off the field. After the opening pop of the United States' new era, the Central American side was able to get a handful of good opportunities and will feel they should've had at least one goal.

The best chance came in the 53rd minute when shifty attacker Edgar Yoel Barcenas put a shot on goal that was repelled by U.S. goalkeeper Matt Turner. It fell into the path of Jose Luis Rodriguez, but "Puma" also saw his shot stopped by the American.

The double save was the type of moment fans have come to expect from Turner when he has the U.S. crest on his chest. But his club situation has been complicated ever since leaving MLS in 2022. He currently is with Crystal Palace but is yet to play a minute there, with Dean Henderson the No. 1.

"Matt was fantastic in goal," Pochettino said. "I'm so happy for him because he's suffering at his club, but I think that's a way to show, through performance, that he can fight for a place in his club in the Premier League, in Palace. I think it's a big boost for him to feel the love of the fans."

Thus far, the 30-year-old has shown little rust, even without regular playing time. He'll hope the national team continues to be a place of refuge where he finds confidence.