ORLANDO, Florida -- U.S. manager Bruce Arena said that Friday's World Cup qualifier against Panama is one where every player on the field needs to step up and have a big performance.
Heading into the final two games of World cup qualifying, the U.S. sits in fourth place, ahead of Honduras on goal differential, and one point behind the Canaleros. That makes the stakes in Friday's match immense.
"I think this is why we play and coach in these kinds of games," Arena said at his prematch press conference. "This is what high-level athletes and coaches are supposed to be about. We're playing in a big game. That means there's going to be big moments and we need to have big performances, and I believe we're prepared to do that."
Arena added that the stakes involved haven't resulted in him changing the way he prepares his team, nor will they affect his players.
"I think it's a big occasion," he said. "I don't think I need to lecture our players on the significance of the game, I think they understand that. We have a group of players that have been in these games -- maybe you people haven't realized this -- since March.
"Every game has been do-or-die for us. This is no different. But obviously as you get to end of hex there's more significance. I don't think we've had a radically different approach to this game than we've had for others."
One critical aspect heading into the match is finding a way to create more scoring opportunities, and in providing some help to midfielder Christian Pulisic. The Borussia Dortmund attacker has been repeatedly fouled in recent matches, which has been effective in blunting the U.S. attack. But when asked how he might go about creating more space for Pulisic, Arena was quick to point out that the attacking onus is on the entire team.
"It's not making Christian more effective, it's making everyone more effective," he said. "Our team is not centered around one player in the attack. We have good focus on our concepts on how to attack the Panamanian defense, and I'm sure at kickoff we'll be ready to apply those tactics."
The match counts as an opportunity for Panama to get some revenge after the U.S. dashed the Canaleros' hopes of reaching the 2014 World Cup with a 3-2 victory on the last day of qualifying. Arena added he's been impressed with the growth of Panama's national team over the years, though he expects them to have a defend-first mentality on Friday.
"They've conceded five goals in eight games, so you look at that. They've defended very well and that's been their strength," said Arena. "I think they've scored seven goals in eight games. So clearly they have a defensive posture, they're good at that. We saw in the game in Panama that they were extremely physical in the game. They're not afraid to take fouls, and I'm sure they're going to maintain that kind of aggressiveness in the game tomorrow."
Arena has brought in some additional coaching help this week in the form of current Los Angeles FC manager Bob Bradley. The two worked together in the early days of MLS when Bradley served as Arena's assistant with D.C. United as well as with the 1996 U.S. Olympic team. Now Bradley has come to his old mentor's aid.
"Bob came in [Wednesday]," said Arena. "I haven't given him a role. Bob is being Bob. I can't think of a greater resource to have available for us, to take any of the comments that he may add, and [you can't] have a better friend or a more supportive person in U.S. soccer than that. We're real pleased to have Bob here with us for a couple of days to help us prepare for this game."
Arena also addressed the lingering controversy over Fabian Johnson's omission from the roster, and insisted the midfielder's international career is not over.
"We just put together a roster that we thought gave us the best chance to be successful in these two games," said Arena. "I think Fabian is a very good player. If we continue to move forward with the national team, I would suspect he's going to be in camps down the road."
Above all else, Arena stressed how vital it is for the U.S. to continue qualifying for World Cups.
"We continue to grow the game in this country," Arena said. "The game in the U.S. is at its highest point in its history, with a growing domestic league, very competitive national team in a region that continues to grow as well. It's important that we continue to qualify for World Cups. I don't how you actually quantify that, but it's certainly very important."