For the first time since 1986, the United States will not be a part of the World Cup.
A win or draw on Tuesday night against Trinidad and Tobago would have been enough for USA to qualify, but the nightmare situation played out in full - with the U.S. falling 2-1 while both Panama and Honduras won to leapfrog the Americans in the CONCACAF standings.
Heartbreak, disappointment, shock. Those are just a few words to describe the emotions of U.S. soccer fans at the moment, who will not see the Red, White and Blue compete on soccer’s biggest stage in Russia next summer.
The USMNT finished the final round of qualification with 12 points - its lowest total since The Hexagonal was implemented in 1998.
The loss against Trinidad and Tobago was a massive letdown for U.S. soccer. Just five days ago, USA ousted Panama on American soil, defeating los Canaleros 4-0 right here at Orlando City Stadium. Many assumed that victory would be the pivotal result for the Americans, who looked sure to qualify for the World Cup after putting on such a brilliant performance in Orlando.
USA came out on fire against Panama last Friday, but looked stale in the first half against a Trinidad and Tobago side that had lost six straight in the Hex. Omar Gonzalez’s own goal in the 16th minute, compounded by an absolute wonder-strike from T&T’s Alvin Jones in the 36th, saw the U.S. enter half-time down 2-0. Christian Pulisic scored for the U.S. one minute into the second half, but the Americans failed to find the all-important equalizer. U.S. players looked stunned as the final whistle blew and the harsh reality set in: USA eliminated from Russia 2018.
Final standings in the CONCACAF Hexagonal:
<span id="docs-internal-guid-1b627a02-0c7f-588d-9e93-57d039e0d229"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nation</span></span> |
<span id="docs-internal-guid-1b627a02-0c7f-588d-9e93-57d039e0d229"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Points</span></span> |
<span id="docs-internal-guid-1b627a02-0c7f-588d-9e93-57d039e0d229"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Goal Differential</span></span> |
<span id="docs-internal-guid-1b627a02-0c7f-588d-9e93-57d039e0d229"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mexico - q</span></span> |
<span id="docs-internal-guid-1b627a02-0c7f-588d-9e93-57d039e0d229"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">21</span></span> |
<span id="docs-internal-guid-1b627a02-0c7f-588d-9e93-57d039e0d229"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">+9</span></span> |
<span id="docs-internal-guid-1b627a02-0c7f-588d-9e93-57d039e0d229"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Costa Rica - q</span></span> |
<span id="docs-internal-guid-1b627a02-0c7f-588d-9e93-57d039e0d229"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">16</span></span> |
<span id="docs-internal-guid-1b627a02-0c7f-588d-9e93-57d039e0d229"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">+6</span></span> |
<span id="docs-internal-guid-1b627a02-0c7f-588d-9e93-57d039e0d229"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Panama - q</span></span> |
<span id="docs-internal-guid-1b627a02-0c7f-588d-9e93-57d039e0d229"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">13</span></span> |
<span id="docs-internal-guid-1b627a02-0c7f-588d-9e93-57d039e0d229"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-1</span></span> |
<span id="docs-internal-guid-1b627a02-0c7f-588d-9e93-57d039e0d229"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Honduras - p</span></span> |
<span id="docs-internal-guid-1b627a02-0c7f-588d-9e93-57d039e0d229"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">13</span></span> |
<span id="docs-internal-guid-1b627a02-0c7f-588d-9e93-57d039e0d229"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-6</span></span> |
<span id="docs-internal-guid-1b627a02-0c7f-588d-9e93-57d039e0d229"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">United States - e</span></span> |
<span id="docs-internal-guid-1b627a02-0c7f-588d-9e93-57d039e0d229"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">12</span></span> |
<span id="docs-internal-guid-1b627a02-0c7f-588d-9e93-57d039e0d229"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">+4</span></span> |
<span id="docs-internal-guid-1b627a02-0c7f-588d-9e93-57d039e0d229"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Trinidad & Tobago - e</span></span> |
<span id="docs-internal-guid-1b627a02-0c7f-588d-9e93-57d039e0d229"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">6</span></span> |
<span id="docs-internal-guid-1b627a02-0c7f-588d-9e93-57d039e0d229"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-12</span></span> |
q - Qualified for 2018 FIFA World Cup
p - Qualified for intercontinental playoff vs. Australia
e - Eliminated from World Cup qualification
Now the question will be “What’s next?” for Bruce Arena, the United States Soccer Federation and the U.S. players as they’ll be watching the FIFA World Cup from home next summer.
