Trinidad & Tobago 2 - 1 USA | United States To Miss World Cup
SteemSports Presenter: @mraldo
SteemSports Editors: @velimir / @ldauch
The United States has failed to qualify for the Russia 2018 World Cup after their 2-1 defeat from Trinidad & Tobago. This is the first time since 1986 that the US will miss a World Cup.
The defeat comes after the fantastic 4-0 win over Panama last week. It was a much needed, crucial result, that brought with it an optimistic atmosphere to the team and the fans. However, they failed at the final test, beating a Trinidad & Tobago that was already out of contention and with nothing to play for.
First Half
The match started as expected, with the US dominating the flow of the game and controlling possession, but with a just a small forward initiative. Then, in the 16th minute, Omar González failed to properly clear a low cross in the box, and the ball bounced over Tim Howard for the first goal of the night. There was still plenty of time left in the game, but anxiety was already setting in.
Some 20 minutes later Alvin Jones would score the second goal for Trinidad & Tobago, after a wonderful shot from nearly 40 meters away from the goal defended by Tim Howard, who could not do anything as the ball flew past him and met the net. At this point, the US was playing calmly, as if nothing was on the line, and Trinidad took advantage of their complacency.
Second Half
The US seemed to start the second half with a renovated fighting spirit. As soon as play resumed, Borussia Dortmund's wunderkind scored the 2-1 with a nice goal from outside the box. It looked like everything might get back on track for the US, and at least the play-off could be salvaged.
However, the animal push from Pulisic's goal lasted little. The rest of the match we saw slow and sluggish US team, complacent and out of ideas. Meanwhile, Panama and Honduras were giving their all to capitalize from the US's lack of resolve. They were clearly counting on Panama not winning against Costa Rica.
That is why, when Panama scored their winning goal, with only 5 minutes to go, the faces of the players on the bench of the United States; as well as that of Bruce Arena, turned to panic. They only needed a goal, they only needed to equalize the match, but it was already too late. The final score of 2-1 left the US out of the World Cup.
Now it's a good time for the US to start rebuilding their team, find a good manager, promote their younger players and say goodbye to the older ones. Time to learn from past mistakes. Time to prepare and strengthen the foundations of US soccer.
Photo Sources:
www.gettyimages.com
The Big Upset!
I am born on 18/11/1986
That means the US has consistently been in the world cup for 31 years
Oh wow that is tough result to swallow now
Thanks for giving insight
That's a massive news. USA has been part of every WC since 90's and were expected to be part of it again. What's even bigger is that Chile will not be part of WC too. Chile are last two times Copa America champions.
Messi, with a brilliant hat-trick, rescued Argentina from a huge threat of missing out on a WC. What a shame it would have been to have a FIFA World Cup without Messi playing in it!
this is sad. The US should have never fired Klinsmann. He is controversial and it often doesn't look good with him, but he would've gotten them the qualification.
hehe, good by US
Well it was a little unfair them having to play Trinidad AND Tobago!