News

US Men’s National Team Vs. Panama World Cup Qualifier (Oct. 6): Game Start Time, Channel Info

The U.S. Men’s National Team is playing a crucial World Cup Qualifier against Panama in Orlando on Friday night, and here is everything you need to know to watch the game.

USMNT vs. Panama World Cup Qualifier Preview

The game begins at 7:35pm EST at Orlando City Stadium, and will air on ESPN2. It can also be live-streamed on WatchESPN.

Bruce Arena’s 23-man roster includes forwards Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore; midfielders such as 30-year-old Michael Bradley and 19-year-old Borussia Dortmund star Christian Pulisic; English Premier League defenders Geoff Cameron and DeAndre Yedlin; and goalkeeper Tim Howard, among others.

“The World Cup is in our hands. We control our own destiny,” said U.S. midfielder Dax McCarty.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.

The Americans must win this match and their final qualifier against Trinidad & Tobago on Tuesday (Oct. 10) in order to make next summer’s tournament in Russia. The U.S. is fourth in the six-nation North, Central American and Caribbean group with nine points, behind third-place Panama (ten points), and table leaders Costa Rica (15 points) and Mexico (18 points).

Fifth-place Honduras is tied with the U.S. with nine points. The top three teams in each qualifying group earn an automatic bid.

“This is what high-level athletes and coaches are supposed to be about,” said Arena. “We’re playing in a big game, which means there’s going to be big moments and we need to have big performances. And I believe we’re prepared to do that.

“When I took the job at the end of November, we were 0-2, dead last in sixth place. To think that it wasn’t coming down to games nine and 10, you’d have to be pretty stupid. If you told me we had to win our last home game to position us to get into the World Cup, I’d say that’s OK.”

The U.S. famously scored two late goals against Panama in a 2013 qualifier to dash the Latin American country’s hopes of reaching the 2014 tournament.

Here is the full U.S. roster:

Position USA players
Goalkeepers Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, Nick Rimando
Defenders DaMarcus Beasley, Graham Zusi, Geoff Cameron, Omar Gonzalez, DeAndre Yedlin, Matt Besler, Michael Orozco, Tim Ream, Jorge Villafana
Midfielders Michael Bradley, Alejandro Bedoya, Benny Feilhaber, Darlington Nagbe, Christian Pulisic, Kellyn Acosta, Paul Arriola, Dax McCarty
Forwards Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore, Chris Wondolowski, Bobby Wood, Juan Agudelo

COLUMBUS, OH – MARCH 29: Kyle Beckerman #15 of the United States Men’s National Team controls the ball against Guatemala during the FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifier on March 29, 2016 at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The United States defeated Guatemala 4-0. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Pablo Mena

Writer and assistant editor for usports.org. NY Giants and Rangers fan. Film and TV enthusiast (especially Harry Potter and The Office) and lover of foreign languages and cultures.

Recent Posts

Anthony Davis Returns As Mavericks Roll Past Nets

Monday night’s matchup between the Dallas Mavericks and Brooklyn Nets also featured Anthony Davis’ return…

24 hours ago

After Trump Order Banning Transgender Athletes In Women’s Sports, Texas Sues NCAA To Require Sex Testing

In accordance with an executive order by President Donald Trump banning transgender women from women's…

1 day ago

Bronny James Improves, Strikes Back At Critics: ‘People Think I’m A F—ing Robot’

Bronny James, son of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, was drafted to his father's…

2 days ago

After Bill Chisholm Buys Boston Celtics For Record $6.1 Billion, Will He Spend Whatever It Takes To Keep ‘Raising Banners’?

In 2002, the Grousbeck family purchased the Boston Celtics for $360 million. On Thursday, following…

3 days ago

Jameis Winston Joins N.Y. Giants On 2-Year, $8M Deal

The New York Giants have reached an agreement with Jameis Winston, he confirmed on Friday.…

3 days ago

Donald Trump & Vladimir Putin Discuss USA-Russia Hockey Series Despite Sanctions

International ice hockey has made its way back to the big stage. The most recent…

4 days ago