Not having all of its high-profile individual stars readily available hasn't slowed the U.S., which will need another next-man-up, World Cup qualifying effort in Jamaica.
Don't take World Cup qualifiers between the U.S. and Mexico—like Friday's game in Cincinnati—for granted. As international soccer evolves, these unique occasions face extinction.
The U.S.'s World Cup qualifying effort has proven to be about a young group's capacity to respond, and that was on display in a second window-salvaging win in as many months.
A first World Cup qualifying loss ever to Panama was the result of adverse conditions, a rotated squad and a poor effort, but it doesn't have to be a derailing event.