Panama have emerged as a challenging opponent for the USMNT in recent years. Historically, the US had only lost to Panama once before Berhalter's tenure, during the 2011 Gold Cup. However, since his appointment, Panama has become a thorn in the side of the US team. They defeated the US in World Cup Qualifying in 2021, eliminated them from the Gold Cup last summer (Interim manager B.J. Callaghan was in charge in that match), and most recently, handed them a critical defeat in the Copa America.