Recap: Graham Zusi goes the distance as U.S. draws Panama 1-1

The U.S. Men’s National Team earned a 1-1 draw at Panama in Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier at Estadio Rommel Fernandez in Panama City. Both teams traded goals late in the first half, as Clint Dempsey fired the U.S. ahead before Gabriel Gomez restored parity for the hosts.

Sporting Kansas City defender Graham Zusi started and played 90 minutes at right back in head coach Bruce Arena’s 4-4-2 setup, making the 46th international appearance of his heralded career. His club teammate, center back Matt Besler, was an unused substitute for the second straight game. Both players will now return to Sporting Kansas City and be available for selection when the club visits Toronto FC at 6:30 p.m. CT Friday.

Tuesday’s tie gives the United States four points from four matches in CONCAFAF’s final World Cup qualifying round, good for fourth place in the Hexagonal, while Panama is one point ahead in third.

Hexagonal Standings

Six matches remain in the Hexagonal between now and October, with the top three finishers automatically qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. The fourth-place team will meet an Asian side in a two-legged World Cup playoff in November.

A cagey opening half-hour gave way to an electric final 15 minutes of the first half. Goalkeeper Tim Howard was forced into action in the 33rd minute when San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Alberto Quintero cut into the penalty area from the left flank and sent a pile-driver on frame. Zusi then hammered clear downfield to prevent Quintero from having a second crack on the rebound.

Six minutes later, the visitors drew first blood to silence a voracious crowd in Panama City. Christian Pulisic did brilliantly to shrug off challenges from center backs Felipe Baloy and Roman Torres on the right side of the box before cutting back to an open Dempsey, who slotted home for his U.S.-record 18th career goal in World Cup qualifying.

Much to head coach Bruce Arena’s dismay, the United States’ lead was short-lived. A long, looping throw into a crowded six-yard area from Adolfo Machado deflected kindly into the path of Gomez, whose thunderous strike nestled into the top left corner of the net.

Six minutes into the second period, Pulisic’s bid for a go-ahead goal was denied when his acrobatic side volley off Jorge Villafana’s cross was blocked by Baloy. Shortly thereafter, defender Tim Ream thwarted Gomez’s search for a brace with a pivotal block of his own. Luis Tejada kept Panama’s put on the pedal with a 15-yard drive on the hour mark, but Howard produced a fine stop to keep the scoreline level.

Players will now return to their respective clubs for the next two months before World Cup qualifying resumes. The U.S. MNT continues its Hexagonal campaign on June 8, hosting Trinidad and Tobago at a venue to be announced, then travels to face archrival Mexico on June 11.

Hexagonal Schedule