With the USMNT's victory over Panama, the Americans have (all but) sealed their ticket to Qatar this fall. Let's review the top half of the CONCACAF Standings:
Canada 8-1-4 (+17)
USA 7-2-4 (+13)
Mexico 7-2-4 (+7)
Costa Rica 6-3-4 (+3)
Canada is in. They are going to their first World Cup in 36 years.
Only 2 games left that matter in CONCACAF:
Mexico v El Salvador
Costa Rica v USA
Mexico v El Salvador
If Mexico wins, they're going to Qatar.
If Mexico ties, they're going to Qatar.
If Mexico loses, and the United States wins, Mexico is going to Qatar.
If Mexico loses by a lot to El Salvador and Costa Rica wins, then we play the goal differential game.
USA v Costa Rica
If USA wins, they're going to Qatar.
If USA ties, they're going to Qatar.
If USA loses by one, they're going to Qatar.
If USA loses by two, three, or four, they're going to Qatar.
If Costa Rica wins by 6 or more and Mexico loses. Costa Rica goes to Qatar, USA and Mexico are then playing the goal differential game.
If Costa Rica wins by 6 or more and Mexico wins or ties, Costa Rica and Mexico go to Qatar and then....
The United States would (probably) play New Zealand. The winner of that game would go to Qatar and the loser would go home.
So, in summation, the U-S of A has punched their ticket, UNLESS:
The United States loses by 6+ to Costa Rica (and Mexico wins or ties)
AND then the USMNT loses the playoff with the Oceania Champion.
They better not screw this up. All the Americans had to do in 2017 to qualify for Russia was beat Trinidad and Tobago and they didn't. This time around going into the last game of qualifying, it's almost a slam dunk.
ALMOST!