The US went into the Panama game knowing they needed something from it, and that’s what they got. It was a reserved display, but an earned point. These were the key takeaways.
Takeaway 1: Dempsey. The Legend.
This international break has seen Clint Dempsey score four goals in two games and become the US record goalscorer in World Cup qualifying in the process.
Now he sits just one goal and appearance (56 and 39) short of all-time US leader, Landon Donovan (57 and 40).
All this from a player who was very recently out for a point of time (with an irregular heartbeat), and his influence being questioned.
He now comes away from this break with his name back where it belongs, and on the doorstep of history.
Takeaway 2: Panama is hostile.
For a small country, Panama are a good side – difficult to break down, creative going forward, a tough style of play and a hostile atmosphere.
It was a physical game and they made it a battle – the stats showing 24 fouls in total, of which 14 were committed by Panama (yet surprisingly not a single yellow card was issued).
Despite the atmosphere, the US rose to the occasion –
especially – who was the most present threat all night and set up Dempsey for the goal. But it’s the team which matters, and overall they looked like they learnt from this. There was resilience, grit and togetherness on the field.
Takeaway 3: Qualification status
What this is all about is qualification.
Friday night’s game against Honduras was a must win. They did that, which then took some of the heat off this game, but they still needed to come away with something. Which they did.
On the night, the Dempsey goal was cancelled out by Gabriel Gomez. But they took a point. And that gives the US four points in total from this international break. The team headed into this series of matches with zero points from their first two games.
Not only does Bruce Arena now take away what he set going into these match-ups, but it also gives them much needed stability, and some gained ground on others in the group.
They have jumped from sixth to sit in forth place in the six-team World Cup 2018 qualifying table. So overall, qualification is back on track.
Next: MLS Power Rankings: Week 4
On to June
Taking into consideration those players the US did not have at their disposal – Wood, Johnson, Yedlin, Cameron, Morris, Lletget, Brooks – four points seems like an ever bigger coup. This was a solid week’s work with a group short of several key players.
They now head into the next qualifiers in June, hosting Trinidad and Tobago before an away trip to Mexico, with a measure of confidence about them.