ON A NIGHT when American fans were torn between seeing a rival eliminated from qualifying for the World Cup at the expense of their team, the United States national team showed it had no intention of sympathy, scoring twice in stoppage time to beat Panama 3-2 and eliminate its hosts from making it to Brazil.

The result sees hated rival Mexico through into the fourth place playoff and gives the United States 22 points total in the Hex, tying its highest Hex point total ever.

A U.S. team without the majority of its core was twice behind but each time found an equalizer, first through Michael Orozco, then through Graham Zusi. Aron Johannsson added to the fun, scoring his first goal in the Red, White, and Blue to help crush Panama's dreams of qualification.

A few players from the reserve group stood out, but perhaps none more than Brad Davis, who came on in the 56th minute and ended the night with two assists.

The U.S. now turns its attention to friendlies in Europe in preparation for the 2014 World Cup while Panama sets its sights toward 2018, when perhaps it will make its first appearance in the World Cup Finals. Mexico must look to New Zealand, the team it faces in a home-and-home playoff for qualification, but perhaps not without doffing its cap to its northern neighbor first.

As always, ASN will have much more on the Stars and Stripes' victory and all the CONCACAF madness.