The After Bar: USMNT 2 – Panama 0

Planting the Seed of Soccer Across America: Danny Beerseed

The United States men's national team took pole position in CONCACAF's “Hex” and is nearly a lock for going to Brazil in 2014 after a decisve 2-0 win over Panama in front of nearly 41,000 at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WA. Jozy Altidore provided the opening goal in the 36th minute, giving him three goals in the last three games. It wasn't necessary, but Seattle Sounders' Eddie Johnson delighted the home crowd with the Nats second goal of the evening in the 53rd minute.

Combined with Mexico's dour 0-0 draw with Costa Rica at Estadio Azteca the USMNT now tops their World Cup qualifying group with 10 points and a 3-1-1 record.

They'll face Honduras at Rio Tinto Stadium next Tuesday at 9pm ET.

Highlights:

Epic tifo from “The American Outlaws” and their Seattle chapter:

Analysis from some of American soccer's best writers:

Grant Wahl (Sports Illustrated) – “Jozy Altidore comes up big as U.S. rolls to 2-0 win over Panama”

Matthew Doyle (MLSSoccer.com) – “Armchair Analyst: Three things we learned as the USMNT went to the top of the Hexagonal”

Jeff Cartisle (ESPN) – “U.S. makes easy work of Panama in World Cup qualifying”

Kyle Bonn (NBC Pro Soccer Talk) – “Three huge positives to take from USA’s convincing win over Panama”

Mike Cardillo (The Big Lead) – “From Doom-and-gloom, to Happy-Happy, Joy-Joy in a Week”

Player Ratings:

Avi Creditor (Sports Illustrated)

Greg Seltzer (MLSSoccer.com)