Nervous? Many United States supporters certainly are ahead of tonight’s World Cup qualifier against Panama in Orlando. After dismal performances against Costa Rica and Honduras in their previous two qualifiers, Bruce Arena’s men still have their fate in their own hands but now there is almost no margin for error.
The US are one of only seven countries who have reached every World Cup since 1990 but a place in an eighth consecutive tournament is far from certain, with just two Concacaf qualifiers to go. It is, to quote Sir Alex Ferguson, squeaky bum time.
With the US leading a joint bid with Mexico and Canada to host the 2026 World Cup – and overwhelming favourites to be named hosts by Fifa next year – missing out on Russia 2018 would be devastating for the growth of the game in North America. So there is understandable pressure on Arena to secure victory against Panama tonight.
A draw or defeat means the best the US can hope for is a two-legged play-off against either Australia or Syria. And even that is not guaranteed, with Honduras still in the running for qualification.
Panama, for their part, can qualify for the World Cup for the first time in their history by beating the Americans so there is plenty at stake tonight.
SOURCE : GUARDIAN SPORTS posted by CAMPUS94
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