ORLANDO — Because of circumstances beyond its control, the U.S. men’s national soccer team could not clinch a World Cup berth Sunday night. It was going to require one more charter flight to Central America and another 90 minutes to accomplish what the Americans failed to do four-plus years ago.
But by pummeling Panama, 5-1, they moved to the cusp of securing a ticket to Qatar in November. Christian Pulisic recorded his first U.S. hat trick and Paul Arriola and Jesús Ferreira added a goal apiece as the Americans roared to a 4-0 halftime lead and posted their biggest victory of the qualifying competition.