USA closes in on World Cup qualification.

Earlier tonight Bruce Arena’s USMNT dominated a young ,but strong Panama team to a score of 4–0. Goals coming from Pulisic, two from Altidore and the final one coming from Bobby Wood. Before the game the US held 4th place in the “Hex” with 9 points as Panama held a qualification spot at 3rd with 10. Pulisic was the man in form for the US with an early goal which was “Messi-esq” and an assist, as he got hurt towards the beginning of the second half and got subbed for Dax McCarty.

Stats

The stats were all in for the US as they had 15 shots and 8 on target to Panama’s 9 to 2 ratio, possession seemed like it was dominated by the US ,but the stats do lie as Panama beat the US to a possession of 58 to 42. As Bruce Arena’s US is one win away from an automatic qualification, as their win tonight improves their chances to a 93%. Toronto FC forward Jozy Altidore claimed the US “Man Of The Match” Award with his stats looking very impressive, bagging 2 goals with a “cheeky” paneka chip to the Panamanian keeper making it 3–0 for the US.

Orlando was the stadium picked and it was a great atmosphere with a sold out crowd of 25,000. One of the most or the most important game for the US in the hex because if the game would have turned out in a loss, the US would have been left out of the 2018 Russian World Cup.