Fire midfielder Dax McCarty made his first career appearance in World Cup Qualifying action Friday night, playing the final 33 minutes of the U.S. Men’s National Team’s critical 4-0 win over Panama at Orlando City Stadium. The three points earned allowed the U.S. to leapfrog Panama in the CONCACAF standings and leave Bruce Arena's side in prime position to punch its ticket to Russia with Tuesday's match at Trinidad & Tobago.
The qualifying debut held even more significance for McCarty, 30, who grew up in Winter Park, Fla., just a short drive from the site of Friday night's match in Orlando.