In USMNT's loss to Panama, Pochettino's MLS pledge rings hollow | OneFootball

So far during his tenure as U.S. manager team manager, Mauricio Pochettino has insisted playing in MLS won't be a disqualifier for earning serious minutes with the national team.

But in a 1-0 defeat to Panama in Thursday's Concacaf Nations League semifinals, Pochettino showed hesitation to use a few key call-ups when the circumstances of the game suggested they might have proven positive difference makers.

The result was the most disappointing performance of the Pochettino era so far, and the first time had suffered a loss to an oppoonent that was clearly less talented.

Here's a few of the choices Pochettino made regarding MLS players, and how they impacted the match.

Turner over Steffen

Pochettino said earlier during the buildup to this window that the No. 1 goalkeeping job was an open competition between Crystal Palace's Matt Turner, the Colorado Rapids' Zack Steffen and the Columbus Crew's Patrick Schulte.

Turner had earned the nod in most of Pochettino's matches in charge this fall, continuing his time as the de facto No. 1 from the end of the Berhalter era.

But no one had been in better club form than Steffen, who has been excellent four games into his second season with Colorado, including a man-of-the-match performance in last weekend's 2-1 win at San Jose.

Turner, meanwhile, has been reduced to playing only in cup competitions so far for Palace this season. And after Cecilio Waterman beat him with his low effort to the far left corner, there were more than a few folks questioning Turner's reaction and positioning, and whether Steffen would've been able to reach Waterman's effort.

Looking for Luna

On the other end of the pitch, the Americans struggled to turn their territorial dominance into dangerous chances against Panama's low block. And as the frustration grew on, some believed the skills of Real Salt Lake's Diego Luna could've been called upon to try and solve Thomas Christiansen's deep-lying defense.

In the buildup to the match, Pochettino himself said that a reason Luna had earned the opportunity after a strong showing in the USMNT's January camp with a roster of mostly domestic-based players, because his skillset of being able to play in tight spaces and connect quick passes was unique among the U.S. player pool.

Pochettino also refused to turn to the other player on the bench who might have matched that description, Dortmund's Giovanni Reyna.

Almost for Agyemang

Charlotte FC's Patrick Agyemang was one of the three MLS-based players who did see the field for the USMNT, coming on in the 68th minute to spell striker Josh Sargent.

And the 24-year-old was on the end of arguably the Americans' two best chances of the evening, though his finishing ability on both was left wanting.

First came a breakaway effort created by a throughball from deep midfield. The run to create the opportunity was well-timed, but the shot was easily saved by Panama's Orlando Mosquera.

Then came a look from close range at the near post after a clever cross from Christian Pulisic. Agyemang had the right idea with a first-touch attempt, but got his footwork wrong and ended up deflecting his own effot over the crossbar with his plant leg.