USA will take one step closer to World Cup qualification when they host Panama in Orlando this Sunday.
Venue: Exploria Stadium (Orlando)
Key Statistics
USA have the joint second-best defence in the CONCACAF qualifier group having conceded just seven goals.
The hosts have won their last five home games in this qualifying campaign.
They are unbeaten at home in their group games (W5, D1),
Panama have lost four out of their six away games in this group.
They have conceded the joint second-most goals for an away team in the group (nine goals).
Head to head
The USA have been dominant in the history of this fixture, claiming 17 wins from the previous 23 meetings between the sides. Panama managed just three wins in that time, while four games ended all square.
Latest performances in all competitions
USA: D-W-L-W-W
Panama: D-L-W-L-D
United States of America
The United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) will look to take a step closer to qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup when they welcome Panama to Orlando this Sunday night.
The hosts missed out on the opportunity to seal their place in Qatar last time when they were held to a goalless draw by Mexico.
Had they won the match, they would have needed just a point from this game to ensure automatic qualification. With a three-point lead over Costa Rica in the playoff spot and with two games to play, they must win this game to ensure that they do not go into the last round with their destiny in the hands of other teams.
Given that they have won each of their last five home games in this tournament, the Stars and Stripes will be confident of winning this game. Another confidence booster will be their dominant record against Panama, which has seen them win four of the last five meetings between both sides.
Possible USA starting line-up
Zack Steffen; James Sands, Walker Zimmerman, Miles Robinson, Antonee Robinson; Kellyn Acosta, Tyler Adams, Giovanni Reyna; Christian Pulisic, Jordan Pefok, Ricardo Pepi.
Injured: Weston McKennie, Sergino Dest
Suspended: DeAndre Yedlin, Timothy Weah
Unavailable: Reggie Cannon
Panama
Panama will look to keep their faint hopes of qualifying for the World Cup alive when they travel to Orlando this Sunday.
The visitors’ chances of qualifying for the World Cup remain high being that they are currently sitting in fifth place, one point behind fourth-placed Costa Rica with two games to go.
An unlikely win in this game puts them in a suitable position ahead of their final game with Canada. But a loss and a win for Costa Rica in their game against El Salvador all but ended their chances of qualification.
As such, they will come into this tie desperate for a convincing performance. Given that they beat USA 1-0 in the reverse fixture, they will be confident of getting a win on this occasion.
Possible Panama starting line-up
Luis Mejia; Jorge Gutierrez, Andrés Andrade, Fidel Escobar, Michael Amir Murillo; Adalberto Carrasquilla, Anibal Godoy; Yoel Barcenas; Alberto Quintero, José Luis Rodríguez; Rolando Blackburn.
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Prediction
USA 1-0 Panama
