The U.S. Men’s National Team shattered Panama’s hopes of a berth to the 2014 FIFA World Cup – and kept Mexico’s alive – with two stoppage-time goals to rally for a 3-2 victory at Estadio Rommel Fernandez.
For a few minutes, Mexico’s hopes of qualifying for the World Cup were on life support, only to be saved by Zusi’s equalizing strike. If the U.S. would have lost to Panama, Mexico, who lost to Costa Rica 2-1 this evening, would have finished in fifth place and missed out on their first World Cup since 1982. With the U.S. win in the final minutes, Mexico was assured a fourth place finish ahead of Panama. The USA’s rivals will now play the two-game Intercontinental Playoff against New Zealand on Nov. 15 and 19, with the aggregate winner advancing to the 2014 FIFA World Cup.