United States National Football

The United States men's national team returns to regional action on Friday night to kick off the group stage of the CONCACAF Nations League.

Friday's clash with Grenada at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas is the USMNT's first match against a North American opponent since qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in March.

Gregg Berhalter's side is playing its third game in the June international window, after beating Morocco by three goals and playing to a scoreless draw with Uruguay.

The USMNT and Grenada play each other twice in the next 12 months. The return fixture is scheduled for the March 2023 international window.

Grenada and El Salvador were drawn with the USMNT into Group D of Nations League A in CONCACAF. The four group winners in Nations League A will advance to the final round, which is scheduled to take place next June.

The USMNT's focus over the next two games will be to find answers at goalkeeper, center back and forward. Those are the three biggest questions when it comes to the World Cup roster.

Berhalter is running out of games to see players in person. Friday's clash with Grenada and Tuesday's match in El Salvador will be vital for the World Cup stock of some players.

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USMNT vs. Grenada Odds

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook

Money Line: USMNT (-5000); Grenada (+3500); Draw (+2500)

Over/Under: 3.5 (-650)

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Top Storylines to Watch

Which Players Start In Positions Up For Grabs on World Cup Roster?

The USMNT has three clear areas that need to be addressed before the World Cup in November.

The goalkeeping battle will likely come down to the final few weeks ahead of the tournament in Qatar depending on where Zack Steffen, Matt Turner and Ethan Horvath are playing at the start of the European season.

Turner is the top goalkeeper in the current camp, and Horvath is the No. 2 on the June roster. Neither player is expected to do much against a heavy underdog in Grenada to sway Berhalter's mind on Friday night.

However, the center backs and forwards on the roster could get an advantage. A clean sheet and multiple goals in the first half are expected out of Friday's clash because of the superior talent on the American roster compared to Grenada.

Aaron Long appears to have the inside track to start next to Walker Zimmerman at center back. John Brooks is not currently in the national-team picture and the other defenders on the current roster have not had enough time in Berhalter's system.

Friday could be the perfect time for the U.S. coach to roll out Erik Palmer-Brown or Cameron Carter-Vickers to give them some minutes in what is expected to be a low-stress game for the defense.

With that being said, Berhalter may not learn enough about his reserve center backs in a blowout victory. Rotation could be key with a road game in El Salvador coming up and two tough matches already on the center backs' legs in the June international window.

There is far less clarity at forward, where any player in camp could take hold of the starting job and run with it.

Haji Wright was called in for the June matches after a terrific season in Turkey with Antalyaspor. He scored a penalty in the win over Morocco.

Jesus Ferreira has been one of the best goalscorers in Major League Soccer this season with FC Dallas, but that has not translated to the international stage.

Jordan Morris might get a run against Grenada because of the potential blowout, but the most intriguing possibility is lining up Tim Weah at the No. 9.

The 22-year-old has been used on the flanks of the forward line, but his finishing skills may be what the USMNT needs up top with no one currently in the lead at the position.

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Depth Players Expected To Get Time To Impress

The USMNT should be up by multiple goals at halftime.

Grenada is a much easier opponent to face than Morocco and Uruguay, and it is a CONCACAF nation that the Americans should beat fairly easily.

If that is the case, the USMNT staff could use the second half as a chance to give depth players more minutes than the first two games.

Cristian Roldan, Kellyn Acosta, Jordan Morris and the two reserve center backs are among the candidates to get some significant second-half playing time if they do not start.

Berhalter has to decide whether he wants to use Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams and other first-team players for more than 45 or 60 minutes in the third game of a four-game window if the match is wrapped up by halftime.

The USMNT boss could rest some of his starters ahead of the trip to El Salvador to save their legs and give an opportunity to others who have waited patiently over the last two games.

Berhalter will not be able to judge the reserves based on the opponent since Grenada is far from a World Cup team, but he can evaluate how the players operate in his system as the fight for the final few roster spots in Qatar heats up.

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Prediction

United States 6, Grenada 0

The USMNT will have the game wrapped up by halftime.

The Americans might be in a name-your-score situation if they treat the match properly and enforce their will on the Grenada defense from the first minute.

Friday night would be a perfect time for someone like Ferreira, Wright or Malik Tillman to get on the scoresheet and create a bit of separation on the forward depth chart.

Goals by Pulisic and McKennie may be the expected result, but they might not help the USMNT in its long-term search for answers at forward as the World Cup gets closer by the day.

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Christian Pulisic expressed frustration with the amount of fan support for Wednesday's friendly between the United States men's national team and Morocco.

"For whatever reason, I'm not super happy with the amount of Americans here, however that works out, if I'm being completely honest," Pulisic said after the USMNT's 3-0 win. "But thanks to the ones who did come, and the support is always great from them."

MLS' official website noted the announced attendance at Cincinnati's TQL Stadium was 19,512 for the 26,000-seat venue.

Yahoo Sports' Henry Bushnell argued U.S. Soccer deserves at least part of the blame for the lack of a sellout, as a majority of tickets were priced between $60 and $160 for the midweek match against their north African opponents.

USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter pointed out the World Cup buzz also hasn't started to pick up because the international tournament won't start until late November rather than its typical summer time slot.

"I don't think we're there yet in terms of the buildup," Berhalter said. "I think that this is an important training camp for us as a group, but I don't think the world is saying, 'The World Cup's right around the corner.'"

Brenden Aaronson, Timothy Weah and Haji Wright scored goals for the U.S. in an encouraging start to the window. Matt Turner made eight saves to keep a clean sheet for the Americans.

The USMNT has three matches left this month—another friendly followed by two CONCACAF Nations League group-stage fixtures:

• June 5 vs. Uruguay at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City
• June 10 vs. Grenada at Q2 Stadium in Austin
• June 14 at El Salvador (road match)

Crowd support should continue to build as the World Cup moves closer, especially if the U.S. hosts a few warm-up matches before heading to Qatar. No games beyond June have been announced.

It's also important to remember Pulisic and Co.'s failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup was a setback in terms of the growth of support for the USMNT and, while earning a spot in this year's event was a major boost, there's still more work to do.

U.S. Soccer will provide equal pay to members of its men's and women's national teams after an agreement on new collective bargaining agreements was reached Wednesday.

Andrew Das of the New York Times reported the USMNT and USWNT agreed to place all of their earnings into a single pool, including a "notable concession" from the men's side to include the money from the lucrative men's FIFA World Cup, that will then be divided equally among all players who take part in international matches.

"No other country has ever done this," U.S. Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone said. "I think everyone should be really proud of what we've accomplished here. It really, truly is historic."

The new CBA contracts run through 2028, and initial projections suggest full-time national team players can expect annual payments from U.S. Soccer around $450,000, a figure that could more than double in years where one of the teams makes a "successful" World Cup run, per Das.

At least some financial windfall is guaranteed for the next two men's World Cups. The USMNT qualified for the 2022 event in Qatar and will automatically be included in the 2026 field as a co-host alongside North American neighbors Canada and Mexico.

The USWNT is also a virtual lock to make the 2023 and 2027 women's World Cups as the top-ranked team in the FIFA rankings.

Meanwhile, it's estimated 90 percent of the money U.S. Soccer receives from FIFA for World Cup participation will go toward the new contracts, and the governing body also agreed to split commercial revenue with the players.

Cone said questions about whether U.S. Soccer can continue to handle its core purpose of growing the sport nationwide are fair in wake of the agreements, per Das.

"There's no denying that money that we have to pay our national teams is money that's not reinvested in the game," she said. "And people can take that perspective. But the way I look at it is that our job is to try to figure out how all three groups can work together to grow the pie so that everyone is benefiting."

The contracts to guarantee equal pay come after U.S. Soccer and prominent members of the USWNT settled a class action equal-pay lawsuit in February that included a $24 million payment to the players.

Megan Rapinoe, one of the driving forces in the equal-pay push by the women's team, said on ABC's Good Morning America at the time that the settlement was a major turning point for their efforts.

"This is a huge win for all women," Rapinoe said. "I think we're going to see that in the coming days and hopefully this will be a day we look back on in a number of years when we're a little bit older and say that's the moment that everything changed."

The USMNT's union backed the women's effort to secure equal pay during the lawsuit.

USMNT defender Walker Zimmerman said Wednesday that internal negotiations among men's players "wasn't always the smoothest" process, but they ultimately came to the realization there was "no other way to get this done" other than splitting the World Cup revenue, per Das.

"Trying to voice what you believe should happen, what is possible, what is right—those conversations are difficult," Zimmerman said. "But at the end you have a group of players both on the men's and women's side who came together and got it done."

The men's team's preparations for the 2022 World Cup will continue in June with a total of four matches—two friendlies against Morocco and Uruguay and two CONCACAF Nations League matches against Grenada and El Salvador.

The women's next matches are also in June, when they play Colombia in two friendlies prior to the finals of the CONCACAF Women's Championship in July.

Borussia Dortmund announced Gio Reyna will miss the rest of the 2021-22 season due to muscle and tendon injury, via ESPN.

The forward was emotional after being subbed off just two minutes into Friday's match against Stuttgart.

Gio Reyna was heartbroken after having to leave Dortmund’s game after two minutes with a hamstring injury 💔 pic.twitter.com/6qCf6CMk9i

— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 8, 2022

The 19-year-old appeared in just 13 matches for his club across all competitions during an injury-filled season, including six starts in the Bundesliga. He had two goals in league play, both coming in August.

Reyna initially suffered a hamstring injury representing the United States during the first World Cup qualifying match against El Salvador on September 2. He didn't feature in another match for club or country until Feb. 6.

The continued setbacks especially hurt the United States men's national team, losing a key attacking player for much of the qualifying cycle. He didn't appear again for the squad until his three substitute appearances during the final window in March.

Another injury creates significant question marks about his role with the team heading into the World Cup in November. Even with plenty of time for a recovery, it will be difficult to trust a player who has topped 45 minutes in a match just once since September.

The Americans will be in a group with England, Iran and one of Ukraine, Scotland or Wales.

Reyna will also be left with question marks at the club level after effectively a lost season at Borussia Dortmund. The club currently sits second in the Bundesliga with 60 points in 29 matches, although there could be significant changes in the next transfer window with Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham among those likely to draw interest from top clubs.

There is still a bright future for Reyna, who was listed by ESPN as one of the top young players in the world coming into the year, but he must find a way to stay healthy.      

The United States men's national team was drawn with two familiar foes from World Cups past during Friday's 2022 FIFA World Cup draw. 

England is the headliner in Group B. The Americans and English squared off in the 2010 World Cup group stage. 

Iran also has a World Cup history with the Americans. The Asian nation defeated the Americans at the 1998 World Cup in France. 

The USMNT's final group-stage foe will not be determined until the final European playoff takes place in June. 

Wales, Scotland or Ukraine will be the USMNT's first opponent in Qatar. The winner of the Scotland-Ukraine playoff game will take on Wales for a spot in the World Cup. That part of the UEFA bracket was rescheduled because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. 

Gregg Berhalter's squad will open its World Cup campaign on November 21 against one of the three European playoff sides. 

The marquee clash of Group B takes place on Black Friday when the Americans face England in what could be a battle for first place. 

          

USMNT Group B Fixtures

November 21: USMNT vs. Wales, Scotland or Ukraine

November 25: USMNT vs. England

November 29: USMNT vs. Iran 

       

Players to Watch

Christian Pulisic

Christian Pulisic has been the face of the USMNT since the team failed to qualify for the last World Cup. 

The Chelsea star is perhaps the brightest of the young generation of stars who were burdened with the pressure of returning the USMNT to the global stage. 

Pulisic made an emphatic statement in the USMNT's 5-1 win over Panama, which got it one step away from qualification. 

The 23-year-old completed a hat-trick against Panama to keep the goal differential tally between the USMNT and Costa Rica high enough to avoid a collapse on the final day of qualifying. 

The Pennsylvania native scored five goals in World Cup qualifying. He will be tasked with either scoring or setting up a majority of the USMNT chances in Qatar. 

He has appeared in 15 Premier League matches for Chelsea this season and faces competition for a starting spot every week. 

Pulisic's form for the Blues in England will be carefully watched by USMNT fans during the close of the season and the start of the new campaign.

           

Tyler Adams

An argument can be made that Tyler Adams is the most important player within the USMNT squad. 

Adams thrived in the defensive midfield role in Gregg Berhalter's system, and the drop-off in quality from him to the backups at the position is one of the largest in the USMNT talent pool. 

Adams played in 13 of the 14 World Cup CONCACAF qualifying matches, and he should be one of the first names on the teamsheet in Qatar. 

At its best, the USMNT midfield of Adams, Weston McKennie, Pulisic, Yunus Musah and Brenden Aaronson could propel the Americans to the top of their group.

Adams serves a major role in midfield connecting the center backs with the more creative midfielders in the squad. He also is a vital part to the defensive structure. 

Without Adams, the USMNT could be in trouble on the defensive side of the ball. The key for Adams over the next six months is to stay healthy. He has appeared in 19 of RB Leipzig's 27 matches in the Bundesliga this season.

The United States men's national team understood the assignment.

Because the Americans held a massive advantage in goal differential during World Cup qualifying over Costa Rica, all they needed to qualify for Qatar 2022 when the two teams met Wednesday night was to win, draw or lose by less than six goals.

So while the 2-0 loss perhaps wasn't the exact way the United States would have wanted to reach the World Cup—after failing to qualify four years ago, a more celebratory performance and result would have been welcomed by many—it was nonetheless enough to punch the ticket to Qatar.

Time to make more memories.

The USMNT are headed back to the World Cup 🇺🇸 https://t.co/4iplM6orGC

— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 31, 2022

Eight years. Finally back to the World Cup! Let's go USMNT!

— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) March 31, 2022

As unsatisfying as that game was, the #usmnt clinches qualification to the World Cup.

— Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) March 31, 2022

Los Ticos celebrated second-half goals from Juan Vargas (51') and Anthony Contreras (59').

Juan Pablo Vargas with the header to give Costa Rica the lead over the USMNT. 👀 pic.twitter.com/S4XPZhIvzx

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 31, 2022

ANTHONY CONTRERAS MAKES IT TWO FOR COSTA RICA . 😳 pic.twitter.com/YFdiFO6hW1

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 31, 2022

But the Americans were the ones celebrating on the pitch after the final whistle blew, albeit in a somewhat subdued manner, in what turned out to be a far more nervy affair than was necessary.

And yes, the USMNT had its fans plenty worried in this one:

https://twitter.com/nrarmour/status/1509355080868319232

Good lord. It’s happening, isn’t it? 💀💀💀

— Jonah Freedman (@jonahfreedman) March 31, 2022

Oh, by the way, @USMNT now trails 2-0. I’m going to begin throwing up any minute. 🤮

— Colin Cowherd (@colincowherd) March 31, 2022

https://twitter.com/AndyGlockner/status/1509357685090791429

Some perspective is perhaps in order. Playing in Costa Rica is always difficult, and the United States didn't need to push for a win. Plus, it has not been a friendly trip for the Americans in the past 20 years.

Last six #USMNT trips to San Jose ...
1. Sept. 2001. Costa Rica 2-0
2. Oct. 2005. Costa Rica 3-0
3. June 2009. Costa Rica 3-1
4. Sept. 2013. Costa Rica 3-1
5. Nov. 2016. Costa Rica 4-0
6. Tonight. Costa Rica 2-0 (63rd minute)

— Paul Kennedy (@pkedit) March 31, 2022

Like the rest of the CONCACAF field, the United States was also playing its third game in a week, and manager Gregg Berhalter made the decision to play a number of key players in all three contests. 

75th min. Gonna be OK but ...
Maybe in retrospect it wasn't the best idea to start 7 #USMNT players in ALL THREE matches over 7 days (with travel 2x and one game at altitude)

— Steve Davis (@SteveDavis90) March 31, 2022

And Costa Rica, to its credit, didn't treat this game like a daunting task. In front of a jubilant crowd, Los Ticos instead just played their game, perhaps confident that they'll still find themselves in the World Cup with a win in the play-in game against New Zealand scheduled for June. 

Plus, it should be noted that this wasn't a full-strength United States side:

Aside from the whole qualifying for the World Cup thing, four points from *that* window with Dest, Turner, McKennie and Aaronson out is extremely not bad!

— Seth Vertelney (@svertelney) March 31, 2022

https://twitter.com/nrarmour/status/1509364667633881090

So no, it wasn't the performance that USMNT fans wanted. The celebration was just a touch less sweeter. 

But the job is done. Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams and the rest of the United States men's national team is back in the World Cup. 

The United States men's national team can book its spot in the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday night.

The USMNT heads to San Jose, Costa Rica, with a three-point lead and a plus-10 edge in goal differential over its host.

Gregg Berhalter's team picked up 25 points from its first 13 games of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying to feel comfortable going into Wednesday's match with Los Ticos.

The game itself may not be too competitive because of all the factors in play for both squads. The USMNT needs a win, draw or not to lose by six goals to qualify for the World Cup in one of the three automatic qualification spots out of CONCACAF.

Costa Rica is likely headed for the intercontinental playoff as the fourth-place team in North America. Los Ticos have a handful of players who are one yellow card away from a suspension, and that may affect their lineup selection.

             

USMNT vs. Costa Rica Info

Date: Wednesday, March 30

Start Time: 9 p.m. ET 

TV: CBS Sports Network

Live Stream: Paramount Plus

Odds (via DraftKings Sportsbook): USMNT +115 (bet $100 to win $115); Costa Rica +245 (bet $100 to win $245); draw +215

            

Preview

The USMNT did the hard work Sunday to move close to clinching a spot in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Christian Pulisic's hat-trick headlined the 5-1 win over Panama that kept the Americans three points ahead of Costa Rica in the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying standings.

The Americans padded their goal differential against Panama as well. The 10 goals between the USMNT and Costa Rica shape the narrative going into Wednesday. Costa Rica could conceivably win by six goals, but it is a difficult task against a USMNT defense that will likely sit back and has conceded only eight goals in its first 13 qualifiers.

Los Ticos could be more inclined to start a team of reserves because of that factor and the suspension peril that some key players are in.

Francisco Calvo, Bryan Ruiz and Celso Borges are among the Costa Ricans who would miss the intercontinental playoff if they picked up yellow cards Wednesday.

Any American players who pick up their second yellow cards in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying Wednesday will have a clean slate going into the World Cup.

Still, Berhalter has a tricky balancing act on his hands when it comes to lineup selection.

The Americans are playing their third game in a week. The first occurred at altitude in Mexico City, and the second was an emotionally charged home contest in Orlando, Florida. The USMNT head coach should rotate his squad to bring some fresh legs into the starting XI. Jordan Morris and Cristian Roldan fit that description and could add energy to what may be a game dominated by defense.

Pulisic, Tyler Adams and others could be used for the first 60 minutes or so to ensure no chaos ensues. After that point, Berhalter could bring on more substitutes to avoid exhaustion for some of his stars who have played major roles over the past week.

The USMNT should qualify alongside Mexico on Wednesday night. El Tri play host to El Salvador and need one point to finish in the top three.

Canada locked in its spot in the World Cup field Sunday. The Canadians finish up the 14-game qualifying slate against Panama. Jamaica and Honduras, two squads with no chance of making the World Cup, face off in the other CONCACAF match.

                   

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Following a 0-0 draw with Mexico on Thursday at Estadio Azteca, the United States men's national team defeated Panama 5-1 on Sunday in a 2022 CONCACAF World Cup qualifying match in front of a home crowd in Orlando at Exploria Stadium.

With the United States and Mexico even in the CONCACAF table and Panama just one point off fourth place, Sunday's win was a huge one for the Americans, who are aiming to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 2014. 

With Timothy Weah and DeAndre Yedlin sidelined for picking up their second yellow card of qualifying in Mexico, the Americans had to dig deep for a win against Panama on Sunday, and while they got out to a slow start, they heated up quickly.

In the 13th minute, Panama's Anibal Godoy shoved U.S. defender Walker Zimmerman inside the penalty area during a corner kick. No foul was given initially, but VAR enforced a call, which the Panamanians thought was questionable.

Should this be a penalty? pic.twitter.com/icM8g4rXY4

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 27, 2022

Regardless, the United States was awarded a penalty, and midfielder Christian Pulisic took the kick in the 17th minute to give the Americans an early 1-0 lead. 

PULISIC BURIES THE PENALTY TO PUT THE USA UP 1-0 🇺🇸🙌

@cpulisic_10 | @USMNT pic.twitter.com/EtjKCaMv8Q

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 27, 2022

And while Panama nearly equalized minutes later, the Americans responded with a goal from Paul Arriola in the 23rd minute to take a 2-0 lead. With Pulisic down just outside the box, Antonee Robinson found Arriola with a beautiful cross for the goal.

Panama gets its first real chance of the game but the USMNT keeps it out of the back of the net pic.twitter.com/BuZcTCc19z

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 27, 2022

PAUL ARRIOLA MAKES IT 2-0 USA 🇺🇸🇺🇸@PaulArriola | @USMNT pic.twitter.com/y0J3yErelk

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 27, 2022

The scoring onslaught only continued from there, as Arriola set up FC Dallas teammate Jesus Ferreira in the 27th minute for a 3-0 lead. 

THE FLOODGATES ARE OPEN!

@Jesusfcd27 makes it 3-0 for the @USMNT against Panama 🔥 pic.twitter.com/xDiFZStxv2

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 27, 2022

And just when Panama thought it could escape the first half down just 3-0, Godoy was called again inside the penalty area after putting an arm into Miles Robinson’s face during a battle for the ball. 

Pulisic was selected to take the penalty again, and he scored his second of the match in stoppage time. 

ANOTHER ONE FROM THE SPOT FOR @cpulisic_10 💪

The @USMNT takes the 4-0 lead on Panama just before halftime! pic.twitter.com/zbOekaqe1c

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 27, 2022

The USMNT kept the momentum in the second half.

Gio Reyna subbed on to start the second half, and he had an incredible scoring chance in the 47th minute, but shot the ball just wide of Panama goalkeeper Luis Mejia.

Gio Reyna with a great chance to start the half 😬 pic.twitter.com/sHS8azODlf

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 28, 2022

The Americans continued knocking at the door, and Pulisic scored his third goal of the night in the 65th minute for his first career hat trick for the USMNT. Pulisic was subbed off shortly after, and he received a standing ovation from the Orlando crowd. 

I mean come on, @cpulisic_10 🤯🔥 pic.twitter.com/Ya9rstTtJg

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 28, 2022

Godoy ended up scoring Panama's only goal of the night in the 86th minute off a set piece. 

Panama pulls one back on a set piece to make it 5-1 pic.twitter.com/vdCiqCR62u

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 28, 2022

This was a huge victory for the United States, and it puts the team one step closer to clinching a spot in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The top three teams in the CONCACAF table automatically qualify for the World Cup, while the fourth-place team has to play in an intercontinental playoff for a chance to reach soccer's biggest stage.

The USMNT could have clinched a spot in the World Cup on Sunday night, but it needed El Salvador to defeat Costa Rica, which defeated the Salvadorans 2-1 just before the Americans kicked off against Panama. 

The United States will face its next challenge against the Costa Ricans on Wednesday at Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica. 

The United States men's national team could book its ticket to the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Sunday night.

The Americans need to beat Panama in Orlando, Florida, and receive some help from El Salvador against Costa Rica to lock into one of the three automatic qualification spots from Concacaf.

Gregg Berhalter's team sits in second place in Concacaf World Cup qualifying with 22 points after a draw on the road against Mexico on Thursday.

The USMNT needs to beat Panama and for Costa Rica, which is in fourth place, to drop points against El Salvador to clinch a berth in Qatar.

A Costa Rica loss combined with a USA-Panama draw also does the trick for the Americans. The USMNT will know what it has to do to qualify Sunday night since Costa Rica and El Salvador play earlier in the day.

If Costa Rica beats El Salvador, the USMNT needs to run up its goal total against Panama to create enough separation on goal differential between itself and Los Ticos. The USMNT own a seven-goal edge entering Sunday. The same margin or larger should allow the Americans to clinch qualification in Costa Rica on Wednesday if they do not secure that Sunday.

                    

USMNT vs. Panama Info

Date: Sunday, March 27

Start Time: 7 p.m. ET 

TV: FS1, UniMas, TUDN

Live Stream: FoxSports.com and Fox Sports app

Odds (via DraftKings Sportsbook): USMNT -260 (bet $260 to win $100); Panama +650 (bet $100 to win $650); draw +340

                

Preview

The USMNT will know what is at stake in its game against Panama based on the result of Costa Rica vs. El Salvador.

A loss or a draw by Costa Rica opens up the scenario for the Americans to clinch a World Cup berth on home soil.

Costa Rica beat El Salvador at home earlier in the World Cup qualifying cycle. El Salvador lost at home to Canada and Mexico and played to a scoreless draw with the USMNT.

If Costa Rica wins, the Americans need to match Los Ticos' goal total at minimum to be in good shape to qualify for the World Cup on Wednesday.

The Americans hold a three-point edge on Costa Rica, and they have the goal differential tiebreaker.

Panama comes into Sunday in fifth place and in need of a draw or loss from Costa Rica to remain in the mix for fourth place. The fourth-place team in Concacaf heads to the intercontinental playoff.

Berhalter's USMNT is 5-0-1 on home soil in World Cup qualifying. That record should ease the nerves of fans anxious to see the team get back to the World Cup.

The USMNT will have to win Sunday without Weston McKennie, Sergino Dest and Brenden Aaronson, all of whom are out of this set of games with injuries.

Christian Pulisic's play in the final third will be vital if the Americans to pick up the three points at home. He is the highest-profile player in the squad, and the expectation will be for him to either score, or create a handful of chances to put the Americans ahead.

Look for Gio Reyna to play a vital role in the final third as well. The Borussia Dortmund attacking midfielder impressed in a substitute role at Estadio Azteca on Wednesday, most notably setting up Jordan Pefok, who fired wide.

Pefok and Ricardo Pepi are the top candidates to start up top Sunday, but both players come with concerns. The former has one goal in nine USMNT appearances despite reaching double figures in the Swiss Super League with Young Boys. Pepi is enduring a rough stretch after moving from FC Dallas to FC Augsburg in January.

Berhalter could also ask Jordan Morris to fill the forward role. The Seattle Sounders player has 10 goals in 44 appearances on the international stage.

The USMNT also has questions in defense, where Shaq Moore was called in Thursday to replace Reggie Cannon, who tested positive for COVID-19. Moore will likely start at right back because DeAndre Yedlin is suspended because of yellow-card accumulation.

The other parts of the USMNT defense have occasionally impressed during qualifying, including left back Antonee Robinson.

The USMNT needs Moore to provide some stability on the right flank to deal with a Panama squad that will be playing with some desperation. Panama needs Costa Rica to drop points on the road to feel better about its ability to finish in fourth place.

Panama is one point back of Los Ticos and is one goal behind on goal differential, which is the first tiebreaker used by Concacaf. A Panama loss to the USMNT combined with a Costa Rica win over El Salvador eliminates Los Canaleros from World Cup qualification.

The USMNT should expect a hungry Panama attack, especially if Costa Rica wins, and that could play in favor of the home side if it catches out the visitors in transition through Pulisic, Reyna and others.

                             

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The United States men's national team and Mexico played to a 0-0 draw Thursday in World Cup qualifying at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City as the U.S. held on to second place in the CONCACAF table.

Thursday's match was a challenging one for Gregg Berhalter's side, which was without five starters because of injuries suffered over the last few weeks. 

Chris Richards suffered an ankle injury in a 2-0 loss to Canada in January; midfielder Weston McKennie broke his foot during a Champions League round of 16 match for Juventus in February; goalie Matt Turner suffered a foot injury before the New England Revolution's 2022 season opener and has yet to play; defender Sergino Dest injured his hamstring; and Brenden Aaronson sprained his MCL. 

Despite those losses, the Americans opened the first half with confidence. And despite trailing possession, the U.S. got the better of the chances, with the first coming from midfielder Yunus Musah in the 13th minute.

Musah had an incredible opportunity to give the U.S. an early lead on a run toward the back post but didn't give the shot enough juice as Mexican goalkeeper Memo Ochoa parried it away to force a corner kick. 

Memo Ochoa denies Yunus Musah! The #USMNT midfielder comes close to striking first at Azteca

(via @TUDNUSA) pic.twitter.com/NvNp7yBxsp

— SI Soccer (@si_soccer) March 25, 2022

Christian Pulisic had an even better opportunity on a pass from Tim Weah directly in front of the net, but his finish was lacking. Ochoa, who was stellar all night, denied the opportunity in a frustrating night for the Chelsea star. 

Memo Ochoa comes up HUGE! Tim Weah picks out Christian Pulisic, but his point-blank chance is turned away by the veteran goalkeeper.

No man in the mirror celebration this time.

(via @TUDNUSA) pic.twitter.com/VIq46ywcST

— SI Soccer (@si_soccer) March 25, 2022

CHRISTIAN PULISIC DIDN'T PUT THIS AWAY AGAINST MEXICO 😮 pic.twitter.com/8fqrRqeEcH

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 25, 2022

You have to score that. Simple #USMNT

— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) March 25, 2022

“I would’ve finished that.” - USMNT fans talking about Pulisic’s miss and me talking about a friend leaving part of a burger and some fries on his plate at dinner.

— Jeff Lemieux (@jeff_lemieux) March 25, 2022

Mexico appeared vulnerable throughout the first half, but both sides entered halftime without a goal. That wasn't the case in the second half as El Tri began to open things up despite some misses from the U.S. 

HT: #usmnt 0-0 #ElTriEng
Ochoa, MotM so far with two huge saves. US got stretched a time or two but has defended well. My kingdom for a caution-free second half for Tyler Adams.

— Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) March 25, 2022

Pulisic's struggles continued into the second half as he was denied again on a great opportunity in the 48th minute. Berhalter took him off in the 83rd minute, replacing him with Jordan Morris.

Ochoa denies Pulisic again! Another big save from the Mexico goalkeeper

(via @TUDNUSA) pic.twitter.com/dMinl119Vo

— SI Soccer (@si_soccer) March 25, 2022

Gio Reyna also made his highly anticipated return to the USMNT lineup Thursday, subbing in for Weah in the 60th minute. In the short time that he played, he was one of the best players on the field. 

Catch Gio Reyna if you can 👋

(via @USMNT) pic.twitter.com/DPTjgam4IK

— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 25, 2022

We see you Gio Reyna 🔥 pic.twitter.com/F49wJUzd07

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 25, 2022

He also set up Jordan Pefok beautifully in the 71st minute, but the Young Boys striker missed the net in what was another incredible opportunity for the Americans. 

A gaping net and Jordan Pefok … absolutely shanks it. What a colossal missed opportunity for the #USMNT after a great setup by Gio Reyna

(via @TUDNUSA) pic.twitter.com/JFDjQNFSTx

— SI Soccer (@si_soccer) March 25, 2022

Thursday's game was all about missed chances for the U.S. Had it cashed in on just one opportunity, the CONCACAF table would look very different entering Sunday's match against Panama, who played to a 1-1 draw with Honduras on Thursday. 

Regardless, the USMNT will take the point to hold on to the second spot in the standings. The top three teams in CONCACAF qualify automatically for the World Cup, while the fourth-place team has to compete in an intercontinental playoff.

The Americans' game against Panama on Sunday is even bigger than Thursday's match against Mexico, and they'll be missing both Weah and DeAndre Yedlin, who earned yellow cards against El Tri.