USA 5-1 Panama summary: score, goals, highlights, World Cup 2022 qualifying
USA - Panama: as it happened
USA-Panama: headlines
- Pulisic bags a hat-trick
- Arriola doubles lead on 23' before Ferreira bags a 3rd.
- USMNT on the cusp of qualifying for Qatar 2022
- Canada secured first CONCACAF place with 4-0 win over Jamaica
Only a disaster in Costa Rica midweek will deprive Gregg Berhalter's men a place in Qatar.
All over in Orlando and the USMNT stand on the cusp of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup.
Costa Rica will need to beat the US 6-0 (or by six clear goals) on Wednesday.
Into the final minute of normal time we go......
Final games scheduled for Wednesday: Costa Rica vs USA - Mexico vs El Salvador
A consolation goal from Panama. Godoy on target for the visitors.
Mexico still 0-1 ahead vs. Honduras and with just Canada mathematically through, the 2nd and 3rd placed teams will be resolved on Wednesday.
Reyna almost makes it 6. His effort just over the bar.
The US comfortable now, happy to invite pressure from Panama but the men in white are struggling and are staring at an exit from the slender chances they had of securing a fourth spot (play-off).
Words of Pulisic praise from Carli Lloyd
Mexico take the lead in Honduras and move to 25 points. Alvarez with the goal for 'El Tri'
The 3rd Pulisic goal
Changes for the US: Busio and Morris on for Pulisic and Adams
Pulisic picks up the first yellow for the US tonight
US 5-0 Panama
Pulisic bags his third of the night and 5th for the US with a fine build up with De La Torre and Robinson involved in the move
Pulisic looking sharp tonight and US fans will be delighted to see the best of their Chelsea man.
Another decent chance for Ferreira after a fine Reyna assist. The FC Dallas man lacking the decisive decision making that we saw in the first half.
Still no breakthrough in the other game as Honduras and Mexico remain tied at 0-0
Shaq Moore seems to be in trouble with a knock with the Tenerife man getting slowly to his feet and he seems ok to carry on.
Great chance for the US to make it five but Ferreira looks to square the ball rather than shoot.
Pulisic celebrates
The Chelsea player celebrates with the fans at the Exploria Stadium in Florida as the USMNT face Panama.
Panama still in control possession-wise with the US on 46-54 (%) vs Panama
US looking far more cohesive now in the second half with Reyna looking calm and collected.
US subs: Musah off and Acosta takes his place. Reyna on too with Arriola off.
Panama subs: Rolando Blackburn, Édgar Barcenas & Freddy Góndola all off and replaced with Gaby Torres, Víctor Medina & José Luis Rodríguez
Changes too for Panama at the break....
The teams take to the pitch again in Orlando. A couple of changes for the US
Qualification situation as things stand:
As things stand, Costa Rica would need to win 6-0 next week in San Jose. The USMNT are inches away from a place in Qatar.
The whistle sounds and brings the end to a first half that has seen the US take their chances despite not enjoying the same levels of possession as the visitors.
US well in control in Orlando
Pulisic takes and makes it 4-0
Another penalty for the US.
There will be 5 minutes of added time at the end of the first half.
Mexico still 0-0 against Honduras with that game in the 36th minute.
The third USA goal
Possession: US 47-53 (%) Panama. The visitors enjoying more of the ball as they desperately look for a way back into the game. The 'Canaleros' World Cup dream hanging by a thread.
Live Table
US 3-0 ahead of Panama with Honduras and Mexico currently 0-0. This result would eliminate Panama and Costa Rica would need a 5 goal win over the US next week.
Less than 15 remain in Orlando and Gregg Berhalter's men cruising.
Jesus Ferreira makes it 3.... Moore finds Arriola and the FC Dallas man adds to the tally.... Despite nervous play, the USMNT are on fire !
US 2-0 Panama
Arriola on target for the US following a Robinson assist. Fine header from Paul Arriola as the Dallas FC man makes it 2-0
The Pulisic goal! Straight down the centre !
Despite the early goal, the US are still playing with a nervousness of the big occasion.
Robinson gives the ball away and Panama threaten as the visitors press now.
Zimmerman wins the spot kick and the Chelsea man slots home to calm the nerves
USA 1-0 Panama
Pulisic to take...and scores ...the US take the lead.
Penalty awarded for the US!
Possible spot kick for the US...VAR to check
Corner for the US, Pulisic to take
Corner but the ref awards a goal kick for the visitors.
Dangerous free for the US. Pulisic to take.
Very cagey start to tonight's action in Florida with both sides easing their way into the action.
The Costa Rica result has taken a little bit of positivity out of tonight's game with the US having to face 'Los Ticos' next Wednesday. The US have a major advantage in terns of goal difference but struggle on trips generally to San Jose.
Bright start from the US as they advance and win an early corner....
We're underway in Florida.....
With that win, the US cannot officially qualify tonight for the World Cup....
All over in San Salvador.... El Salvador 1-2 Costa Rica
El Salvador 1-2 Costa Rica it remains in the 89th minute in San Salvador... Great result for 'Los Ticos' but no so much for the US or Panama
Mexico too are in action tonight as they travel to bottom of the eight team group Honduras. Mexico end their campaign next Wednesday with a home game vs. El Salvador and are, along with the USA, favourites to advance.
Qualification explained
Canada are through to Qatar with 'Les Rouges' 4-0 at home to Jamaica automatically sealing a place at the World Cup.
With just two of 14 matches left to play, the USA is second of eight teams in the final round of Concacaf qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Berhalter's men can clinch its World Cup berth with a victory vs. Panama combined with a Costa Rica draw or loss at El Salvador. The U.S. can also qualify with a draw if Costa Rica loses at El Salvador.
The top three teams in the Octagonal qualify automatically for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, while the fourth-place team will participate in an intercontinental playoff against the winner of Oceania’s qualifying tournament.
A Costa Rica win in San Salvador would end any outside ambition Panama would have had at securing fourth place. The Canaleros would have to beat the US in Orlando and see how results pan out on the last matchday. Tricky but not impossible!
Not a scoreline that suits either the US or Panama as Costa Rica are 1-2 ahead away to El Salvador. The game is in the 65th minute.
Berhalter wants US to stay focused for Panama World Cup clash
Gregg Berhalter is urging his players to stay "in the moment" ahead of Sunday's World Cup qualifier at home to Panama with a shot at reaching the finals on the line.
The U.S. battled to a 0-0 draw away to Mexico on Thursday and sit three points behind leaders Canada in the CONCACAF group standings. They are tied with Mexico on 22 points but are above them in second place on goal difference.
The top three teams automatically earn spots at the World Cup in Qatar which starts in November.
The U.S. face Panama at the Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida and could punch their ticket to the tournament with a win if Costa Rica fail to beat El Salvador away on Sunday.
After Sunday's clash, the U.S. hit the road for their final qualifier away to Costa Rica on Wednesday.
Team news: Panama XI
Panama too are still in with a shout of securing a place at the World Cup but will have to take the play-off route and will be desperate for maximum points in Florida to keep that dream alive.
If Panama secure 4th place, then they will face the winner of the OFC play-off as New Zealand face Solomon Islands.
Team news: US XI
Costa Rica are also in action tonight and the result of their away game to El Salvador will condition the fate for the US side.
Should Costa Rica win, then the US cannot mathematically advance to Qatar 2022 tonight.
A Costa Rica draw or loss combined with a US win sees the USMNT advance, similarly a defeat for Costa Rica combined with a draw would see Berhalter's men seal their place in the World Cup!
The action at the Exploria Stadium in Orlando (FL) starts at 7 p:m (ET), 01:00 CEST on Monday 28/03
Hello and welcome to our coverage as the USMNT face Panama in a crucial game that could see Gregg Berhalter's men secure their ticket to Qatar 2022.