PANAMA CITY, Panama — Nothing connected to a heavily-rotated U.S. men’s national team was going to flourish or survive in an environment like this—not its commitment to play on the front foot, not players who’ve typically been energetic and effective, and not the 13-game unbeaten streak that had extended into the start of World Cup qualifying.
Panama played with vigorous desperation in an atmosphere perfectly suited for Los Canaleros. The Estadio Rommel Fernández, which seats about 32,000, was cacophonous and close to capacity. And the air hovering over it may have been heavier than the occasion.
The humidity easily surpassed 80% at kickoff, and the thick, soupy heat was stifling.