Pulisic’s Hat Trick Vs Panama Moves USMNT Closer To Qatar 2022

usmnt
usmnt

With only the final qualifier remaining as a barrier in the CONCACAF group, the US men’s national soccer team will hopefully be back at the Qatar World Cup this winter. Christian Pulisic’s hat trick powered the USMNT to a 4 goal win (5-1) on Sunday against Panama in Orlando, Fla.

The top 3 nations in the CONCACAF group will qualify automatically. The USMNT is at second position with 25 points and is up against Costa Rica, who are placed 4th with 22 points. Costa Rica would have to beat them by at least 6 goals to upend the Americans to the World Cup.

This USMNT will be playing after missing the 2018 edition of the FIFA World Cup in Russia. Even if they receive a thrashing at the hands of the Costa Ricans, they will have another chance to make it as the fourth-placed team face off against the winner of the Oceania Group in June.

Canada qualified again after 1986 after they drubbed Jamaica 4-0 at home. Mexico has 25 points too, but the USMNT is above them on goal difference.

Win Against Panama Has Made Things Easy For The USMNT In Final Match

Christian Pulisic opened the scoring for USMNT off a 17th-minute penalty kick. The incident was video-reviewed and Anibal Godoy was found to have fouled Walker Zimmerman. Paul Arriola increased the lead with a firm header to the upper right-hand corner from the 6-yard box, capitalizing on a cross from Antonee Robinson.

4 minutes later Arriola set up the third goal sending the pass to Jesus Ferreira through a maze of legs for the latter’s 3rd international goal.

Pulisic converted the fourth from the spot. The fifth goal also went to Pulisic as he tore through the Panamanian defense for his 1st hat trick for the national team and the 12 goals of his international career. He now has 21 from 47 games.