US routs Panama, edges closer to World Cup

The brilliant 19-year-old scored one and made another to cap a sensational 19-minute burst at the start of this crucial World Cup qualifier to see off a shell shocked Panama team and help the US take a firm step towards next year’s finals. Pulisic opened the scoring on eight minutes and beautifully set up strike partner Jozy Altidore to make it two and compound a nightmare start for Panama, who now look destined to settle for a play-off match against either Syria or Australia to land a World Cup place for the first time in their history. 

Honduras, whose match in Costa Rica was put back a day because of adverse weather, also remain in the mix. For the Americans, however, a win against bottom of the hexagonal table Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday will seal its ticket for an eighth consecutive finals and even a point should do it. “It was a good win for our team,” said. “We have had a great year despite what people think. We have come a long way. The pressure was all on the US, who had earned just one point from its last two matches, a dispiriting home defeat to Costa Rica followed by an edgy 1-1 draw in Honduras.