USMNT: 5 squad changes for Panama, how does it affect the line up?

The USMNT cruised to an emphatic 6-0 win over Honduras Friday night, boosting their push for World Cup 2018, but they head to Panama with four withdrawals.

It took the U.S. just five minutes to score the opener against Honduras, and alongside a Dempsey hat trick, goals from Pulisic and Bradley completed a clinical US showing. It was a problem-free evening, and went a long way to restarting what has been a poor start in USMNT’s qualification campaign.

But problems come elsewhere in the form of some badly timed injuries.

Which changes things.

Panama currently sit in third place (the top three places are automatic qualification spots), and one point ahead of the US in the CONCACAF standings, making tomorrow’s game a must win.

So already without Timmy Chandler, Fabian Johnson, Deandre Yedlin, Brad Guzan and Bobby Wood, the USMNT will now be without Sebastian Lletget, John Brooks, Jordan Morris and Michael Orozco, who have all withdrawn from the squad.

In light of this, a single newcomer comes into the roster in Mexico’s Club Tijuana midfielder Paul Arriola. With three previous international appearances under his belt, he is a good addition, but Arriola is unlikely to find his way on to the field.

How does this impact the starting lineup?

Lletget and Brooks are the only two withdrawals from the starting lineup against Honduras, which means that despite a convincing 6-0 display, they will start with a different XI against Panama.

Just as when Brooks came off injured against Honduras, Tim Ream is likely to be the man to replace him, this time from the start, and again lining up alongside Omar Gonzalez. FC Dallas centreback, Walker Zimmerman is the other strong candidate, but with such a high stakes game, would Bruce Arena be prepared to take what some may see as a gamble?

Next: FC Dallas: Is Walker Zimmerman on his way to Germany?

In central midfield, Bruce Arena has a few more options. But that said, Jermaine Jones is eligible now he is back from suspension and surely the leading candidate to start in Lletget’s place. Alejandro Bedoya is an outside bet.

Supporting them – just like in the Honduras game – should be Pulisic and Nagbe on the right and left respectively, with Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore leading up front.

These are all positives

Other than this, the line up sorts itself out and it would be surprising to see sweeping changes.

While this is a big three-point game, the team is gelling and riding high on confidence. That is where the focus needs to be.