CBS soccer pundit Thierry Henry became the center of wild celebrations last night in Los Angeles after Panama netted a last-minute goal to clinch a surprise win over the USMNT.
Henry, a legend of world soccer and best known for his time in an Arsenal and French national team jersey, was sitting pitchside analyzing the game with his fellow CBS broadcasters Kate Scott, Clint Dempsey, and Maurice Edu.
The game was tied at 0-0 and heading into its final minute when Panama forward Cecilio Waterman scored the winner. Almost instinctively, he chucked off his jersey, jumped over the advertising board, and ran over to Henry. After shouting something at the former player, he embraces him and is joined by his teammates.
The moment has been shared widely across socials. You can also see former NFL player turned-actor Terry Crews filming the celebrations at the end of the clip. Check it out below.
In a post-match interview, Henry shared that Waterman spoke Spanish when he approached him and said ‘Eres mi idolo’ (you are my idol). Henry and Waterman later linked up during CBS’s post-match broadcast. Waterman gave Henry a signed match-day jersey and Henry said he would send the player one of his former jerseys in return. The pair hugged it all out again and had a brief conversation about the now-viral celebration.
“I watched him play at Arsenal, and the truth is, ever since I was a young kid he was an inspiration for me,” Waterman told CBS. “I scored the goal, and I saw you and I knew I had to come and say hi.”
Last night’s loss was a devastating blow for the USMNT and their new coach Mauricio Pochettino. They are now knocked out of the Nations League finals. The team, led by Milan star Christian Pulisic, will play again on Sunday in the third-place game against Canada.
