By Brian Straus The U.S. is just about there—but not all the way. Despite some eerie parallels to the past and a banner gaffe, its World Cup berth will be celebrated when it’s actually earned. View the original article to see embedded media. ORLANDO, Fla. — The American men were energized, the Orlando crowd was buzzing and any doubt about the result was erased within the first half hour. Christian Pulisic scored the opener and the U.S. was off and running, leading Panama by multiple goals at intermission before coasting to an easy and emphatic win in its penultimate World Cup qualifier. Only a…