US cruises to the top of the Hex

Despite an injury, a suspension, and a playing surface that left something to be desired, the USMNT turned in perhaps their most complete performance of the Klinsmann era on Tuesday. Seattle turned out a wildly pro-US crowd that provided outstanding atmosphere and energy throughout the entire match. The US looked comfortable in all areas and a win never really seemed in doubt.

The USSF will surely feel vindicated after much questioning from the media about the decision to host an important qualifier on a temporary grass pitch. The field didn't seem to be as much of an issue as some thought it would be, though there was at least one notable slip by a Panamanian player while in a fairly dangerous attacking position. Ultimately the decision to hold the match in Seattle paid off, with the stellar support offered by the 40,000-plus in attendance outweighing the below average field conditions.

Michael Bradley was the man of the match for my money, distributing pass after pass and making several high-speed runs that gave Panama problems. Bradley seemed to be playing in a more attacking position with his counterpart Cameron more comfortable to stay back in a CDM role. Hopefully Klinsmann will have noted how successful Bradley can be when given the chance to get forward more. I would like to see Klinsmann instruct Jones to sit in a defensive position similar to the one Cameron played so that Bradley may continue to create on the attack.

Jozy Altidore turned in another impressive performance, netting a goal in his third straight game. He used speed and strength to create opportunities for himself and was clearly brimming witgeh confidence throughout the game. In addition to his goal he drew what seemed to be a clear penalty in the first half but it was not granted by the referee. Altidore has clearly been able to transfer his red hot club form over to international duty, and it has the US scoring goals at an impressive rate. If this Altidore that we have been seeing is the new norm, the US should continue to be a high-scoring team.

The biggest concern recently has been the lackluster play of the back four. They got a chance to respond to the doubters on Tuesday and they did a fine job of it. The US managed to keep its first clean sheet since the Azteca game and did so without requiring anything too spectacular from Tim Howard. Panama had five goals in four games of hex play heading into this one, but the US back line seemed comfortable all night and was never overwhelmed.

Tuesday's win puts the US in a dream position through five games of qualifying. If the US can deliver a repeat performance and get the three points next week against Honduras there will be little doubt that they would in fact be headed to Brazil, as the fans in Seattle were proclaiming in the second half of Tuesday's win. They would be in a position to possibly mathematically lock up qualification in September against Costa Rico or Mexico.