US Soccer
ORLANDO, FL (WSAU) — The iconic image of the United States missing the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia was Striker Christian Pulisic standing in the showers in the dressing room in Trinidad and Tobago. The young star, still in uniform, holding his head against the wall with water pouring down around him; soaking in a 2-1 defeat that unexpectedly eliminated them from the tournament in Russia.
On Sunday in Orlando Pulisic took it upon himself to reverse that scene and bring the Stars and Stripes to within a whisker of qualification for this year’s tournament in Qatar.
A first-half brace from Pulisic to go with a second-half strike from the Captain led the United States to a 5-1 win over Panama in the final home qualifier for the Stars and Stripes ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The Hershey, PA native was called on to take two penalty kicks in the first 45 minutes- burying both past the Panamanian keeper. He then put on a ball-control clinic in the 65th minute, spinning away from one defender then nutmegging another before hammering home a strike from 12 yards out.
Pulisic was also active on the attack in the 27th minute in a sequence that ended with a goal from Jesus Ferreria. FC Dallas strike Paul Arriola also found the back of the net in the 23rd minute on a cross from Antoni ‘Jedi’ Robinson.
USA Manager Gregg Berhalter gave Pulisic a curtain call, subbing him out in the 70th minute.
GK Zach Steffen overcame some first-half fumbles to help solidify the victory despite allowing a free-kick goal late in the game.
The result eliminated Panama from World Cup contention and guarantees the United States no worse than a 4th place finish in the 8-team qualification group for North and Central America and the Caribbean with one matchday to go.
The top three teams in the final standings qualify directly for the 2022 World Cup. The 4th-place team will play an international playoff against the winner of the Oceana qualification group, which will either be New Zealand or the Solomon Islands.
Canada have clinched an automatic berth in the World Cup, the Maple Leaf’s first trip to the tournament since 1986. The USA, Mexico, and Costa Rica also remain alive for automatic qualification. Two will earn spots directly.
The US will play Costa Rica in San Jose, CR on Wednesday needing a win, draw, or loss by five goals or fewer to clinch an automatic birth. A loss by 6 goals or more would see the Costa Ricans overtake the USA into 3rd place on goal differential and send the USA to the playoff.
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