Stu sees a few meaningful minutes as the United States beat Panama 2-0 in Seattle

It was a good night all around for fans of the United States Men's National Team after Mexico played out their fourth 0-0 draw in six games of the hexagonal qualifying group and the US winning big in Seattle. The Americans welcomed Panama to CenturyLink Field, home of the Seattle Sounders, to play for a chance to go top of the group. When all was said and done, the Yanks would do the job, moving two points clear with five games left to play.

The United States would make the breakthrough in the 36th minute through big striker Jozy Altidore, who tallied his third goal in as many games. The front man made a run to the far post as Fabian Johnson took the ball up the left wing and put in a pinpoint cross that Jozy did well to get on the end of and finish first time. That goal was the eventual game-winner.

The Americans would double their advantage some 8 minutes into the second half with Seattle striker Eddie Johnson providing the goal. A long pass from Geoff Cameron (who stepped in for the injured Jermaine Jones) found Johnson streaking down the right side, towards the center of the park. Johnson was left one-on-one with Panamanian goalkeeper, Jaime Penedo, and a cool little chip from the forward found its way into the back of the net.

Stu Holden would also make his way into the match, although it wasn't with enough time left on the clock to do anything major. Jurgen Klinsmann called Jozy Altidore off, putting Stu on in his place on the 90+1 minute mark with only two more minutes set to be played. Despite the fact that it was not much time at all, the minutes are Stu's first competitive and meaningful ones for the United States since World Cup 2010.

The Americans now have a week-long layoff before finishing up this trio of World Cup Qualifiers. They travel to Real Salt Lake's Rio Tinto Stadium for another meaningful match next Tuesday, against Honduras.