EVERTON goalkeeper Tim Howard asked the home crowd to drive them to a vital World Cup qualifying victory – and they delivered.
The US side defeated Panama in Seattle last night in their CONCACAF group game to go top of the table. Costa Rica had held the lead on goal difference going into the game after Jurgen Klinsmann’s side kept up the pressure on them with a win over Jamaica on Friday, secured by Brad Evans’ injury-time strike. But with Costa Rica drawing 0-0 at third placed Mexico, the US leapfrogged them into an outright lead.
Goals from Jozy Altidore and Eddie Johnson either side of half-time did the damage for the US, who now lead the group by two points.
Howard said before the game at the CenturyLink ground, where Seattle Sounders play their home games in Major League Soccer, that the ground had a reputation of creating red-hot occasions.
“It’s a special place,” said Howard. “And I think inside the stadium, it goes without saying, their crowd, it seems electric for the Sounders games.
“We’re hoping that they’ll come out and support us in the same way.”
