All those years ago, this is what Dax McCarty grew up dreaming about.

Playing for the U.S. National Team in packed stadiums with the World Cup on the line.

Little did he know he’d be doing it in his hometown of Orlando, where an invigorated, energized U.S. team destroyed Panama 4-0 in a crucial World Cup qualifier in front of a sellout crowd of 25,303 at Orlando City Stadium.

“Never in a million years did I envision this in Orlando,” said McCarty, a Winter Park High grad. “To see soccer be as big as it is here is a dream come true. The reception we got tonight gave me chills. … If you would have told me a few years ago that there would be a soccer game this big in Orlando, I never would have believed you.”

Believe it, baby!

We aren’t just an MLS city anymore.

On this frenzied Friday night, Orlando served as the soccer capital of the free world and the host venue for one of the biggest World Cup qualifiers in the history of American fútbol. The reason Orlando was chosen to host this critical match is obvious: Because of our soccer passion; because the City Beautiful has so rapidly and raucously embraced the Beautiful Game.

Officials from the U.S. Soccer federation got exactly what they wanted on Friday night. They wanted Orlando City Stadium to transform itself from the rowdy, rambunctious Purple Palace into a rollicking, frolicking Patriotic Pavilion on a night when the Americans needed their fans the most.

Ask and ye shall receive.

The stadium scoreboard was lit up with the U.S. Soccer’s patriotic proverb, “One Nation. One Team.” The PA announcer pumped up the packed house a few minutes before kickoff with a direct challenge to their nationalism.

“Anybody who wants to send the Americans to the World Cup — make some noise!” he screamed.

The crowd responded with chants of “U-S-A! U-S-A!” — and so began two unbelievable, inconceivable hours of star-spangled banter. Every time the U.S. scored, fans hugged, high-fived and waved Old Glory.

Who would have ever thought soccer would bring American sports fans together while the NFL continues to tear them apart?

Because of the soccer-crazy immigrant population in the United States and the sport’s second-tier status among many American sports fans, there have been times during key home qualifying matches when Team USA has been made to feel like it is playing on foreign soil. To relate it to our national pastime, it’s sort of like how the Tampa Bay Rays feel when they play the New York Yankees and the Trop is filled with Yankee fans.

This is why U.S. coach Bruce Arena before the match sent out an S.O.S. to Orlando soccer fans, imploring them to turn the stadium into an American fortress. He got his wish and afterward strongly hinted Orlando should be in the U.S. national team’s regular rotation.

“From what I saw tonight, I would come back to Orlando,” Arena said. “… When we play a home game in World Cup qualifying, we should have a very strong supporting crowd on our side. We don’t always have that. It’s very important every time we can create a setting like tonight that supports our team in a tremendous manner. I would recommend in the next cycle that we closely scrutinize the venues we select in World Cup qualifying because it’s important and can make a difference in making the World Cup.”

Spoken like a man who knew the reputation and the future of American soccer was at stake Friday night. The decisive win against Panama went a long way to clinching a spot in next year’s World Cup in Russia. A loss or a draw and things would have been extremely dicey heading into Tuesday’s final qualifier against Trinidad and Tobago.

As you would expect, the pressure was immense — not just for Arena and his players on the pitch but for the anxious officials of U.S. Soccer who watched from above. They’re not dumb. They know that missing the World Cup for the first time since 1986 would be a devastating blow to soccer’s rising popularity in this country.

The reputation of MLS was also at stake on Friday night. Commissioner Don Garber has said many times that his dream is to turn MLS into one of the elite leagues in the world. The U.S. failing to make the World Cup would be a major indictment on America’s premier professional league.

But after this Fantabulous Friday night, the narrative has changed. With Central Florida soccer supporters providing them with the inspiration they so desperately needed, the U.S. men are now thisclose to gaining a spot in the World Cup.

Give yourselves a hand, Orlando

Red, White and Woo!!!

The U.S. Soccer World Cup qualifier match of Panama versus USA at Orlando City Stadium Friday, October 6, 2017. USA won the game 4-0. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) (Stephen M. Dowell and Aileen Perilla) (Stephen M. Dowell and Aileen Perilla)

Email me at mbianchi@orlandosentinel.com. Hit me up on Twitter @BianchiWrites and listen to my Open Mike radio show every weekday from 6 to 9 a.m. on FM 96.9 and AM 740.