2018 World Cup qualifying: Panama 1-1 USA
- 39′ – USA – Clint Dempsey
- 43′ – PAN – Gabriel Gomez
After losing their first tow games, USA has collected 4 points in the past two games and are back in the race to qualified to the next World Cup in Russia next year.
Coach Arena comments:
“We’re obviously in better shape. We’ve made progress. Every game in qualifying is going to be critical. It’s going be a battle for the second, third and fourth spots.
It was a slugfest for 90 minutes. Panama was determined to be physical.It was a matter of being switched on and not giving away silly fouls. They’re a pretty good team, so they make it difficult for you, particularly at home. The heat, the humidity, the surface of the field combined with the physicality made it a real rough game.”
USA sits at the 4th place in the Hex standings with 3 points behind second place Costa Rica. Assuming USMNT should win its next game against Trinidad and Tobago, the team will then face Mexico away and host Costa Rica for two crucial games where points will be needed to secure a top 3 spot qualifying directly to Russia….
