Christian Pulisic, Clint Dempsey Lead USMNT To 1-1 World Cup Qualifier Tie vs Panama

Christian Pulisic assisted Clint Dempsey for the US. Men’s National Team’s lone goal in a 1-1 road tie against Panama in Tuesday night’s 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying game.

Clint Dempsey, US. Tie Panama 1-1 in 2018 World Cup Qualifier

Pulisic, the precocious 18-year-old Croatian-American midfielder who plays for Borussia Dortmund in Germany’s Bundesliga, took the ball on the right wing in the 39th minute and dodged one defender, Felipe Baloy. He then evaded another Panamanian, Roman Torres and after some prolific ball-handling near the right side of the goal, tapped the ball to veteran Dempsey, who slid to fire from close range directly in front of the goal and give the Americans a 1-0 lead. The Panama City crowd became silent after this strike.

Shortly afterwards, however, the hosts scored a goal of their own to equalize just before halftime. In the 43rd minute — four minutes after Dempsey’s goal — Panama defender Adolfo Machado, who plays for Houston Dynamo in MLS, delivered a long, arching throw-in from the right wing toward the penalty box. After the ball bounced off a player in the area, Gabriel Gomez fired into the back of the net to stun goalie Tim Howard. The crowd at Estadio Rommel Fernandez then became electric.

After the U.S. celebrated its own goal moments earlier, head coach Bruce Arena — who was directing in his second game in charge of the team — frantically pointed to his watch, gesturing to his players to relay the fact that halftime was near and that they should be very careful. Clearly, that message fell on deaf ears, as it was a defensive error that led to Gomez’s strike three minutes before the break.

The second half featured several close opportunities from both sides. Howard made a key save on shots from Luis Tejada and Anibal Godoy after the break. Gabriel Torres had a great chance for Panama with 12 minutes remaining, but his shot flew wide.

Pulisic was ultimately considered the man of the game for his crucial assist, despite his occasional instances of arguing with the referees and opponents. U.S. defender Omar Gonzalez, who delivered a terrible performance in Friday’s win over Honduras, improved significantly against Panama. 

With one point form the tie, and 3 points from their 6-0 rout of Honduras on Friday, the Americans now have 4 points and remain in fourth place in the six-team CONCACAF table, one point behind Panama, and now trail group leader Mexico by 6. Mexico defeated Trinidad & Tobago 1-0 earlier on Tuesday evening.

The U.S. next host Trinidad and Tobago on June 8, and then travel to face Mexico three days later. CONCACAF will send three teams to the World Cup automatically, with a fourth qualifying for a playoff against a team from the Asian confederation.

According to ESPN’s Soccer Power Index, the U.S. have an 82 percent chance of qualifying for next year’s World Cup in Russia.

SAN JOSE, CA – MARCH 24: Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States celebrates after scoring a goal against Honduras during their FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier at Avaya Stadium on March 24, 2017 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)