04/23/24
October 10, 2017
United States Eliminated from World Cup Qualification: The United States lost to Trinidad and Tobago 2-1 Tuesday night, a result that coupled with wins by Honduras and Panama puts the U.S. out of next year's World Cup. "The most surreal and embarrassing night in US soccer history," tweets Grant Wahl.
Fox and Telemundo paid $1 billion for the rights to air the 2018 and 2022 World Cups in the U.S. Fox's share was $400 million.
posted by rcade at 10:16 PM on October 10, 2017
I wish I could sit here and have at least seen an amazing game by T&T, but that's certainly not the case. The old adage that [team who won] "wanted it more" is only technically true in that USMNT didn't appear to want it much at all (except maybe Dempsey), and T&T wanted it some.
Friday night I was perusing twitter after the 4-0 win over Panama, and I recall being a bit surprised at the volume of "Alexi Lalas can suck it!" tweets (context), because (a) he wasn't wrong, and (b) one win over Panama certainly doesn't prove anything. This is a very frustrating setback after the US had done so much to claim a spot on the international stage.
posted by bender at 10:35 PM on October 10, 2017
What a disaster. Now the finger-pointing begins I guess (primarily at Klinsmann and his "creative" team selection I suppose, but Arena bears some responsibility as well). No excuse to not qualify out of this confederation, particularly in playing a game against a squad with nothing to play for -- but this qualification was lost in the early phases of the Hex.
posted by holden at 11:11 PM on October 10, 2017
Tonight I watched a bunch of adult men act like entitled little children who appeared to be thinking to themselves "Why am I out here playing on this shitty field against this shitty team. We're too good for this and we deserve to be in the World Cup. How dare they try to beat us."
No, you don't deserve to be in the World Cup. That was proven tonight. All I can hope for now is that the whole thing gets blown up and someone new takes the lead to build a team that deserves to be there but plays like they still need to earn it.
There is a lot of talent making its way up the ranks. Pulisic is just the beginning. If all goes well, 4 years from now very few of the players you saw on the field tonight will still be playing for the MNT. They will have been replaced by players who can play the international game and also beat the teams they should beat (all of the ones in CONCACAF). I just hope the federation gets the "old guard" out of the way and lets the new generation move up. It certainly can't be any worse than what we saw tonight.
posted by jjohn24680 at 12:25 AM on October 11, 2017
This is the first sporting result in a long time that gave me a restless night of sleep. I can't believe we have 5 years to wait for a chance to see the U.S. men in a World Cup again -- all because we couldn't beat a Trinidad & Tobago team that had six straight losses.
It's like I'm 11 again and the Cowboys just lost Super Bowl XIII to the Steelers.
posted by rcade at 08:05 AM on October 11, 2017
I watched whole game wondering how the US played so soft and sloppy, the horror growing even after Pulisic's fine goal to start the second half. Time after time a defender or Bradley just gave the ball back to T&T and until the last 10 minutes no one other than Dempsey and Pulisic played with any urgency. Then the scores came in from the other games, like a nailgun through my chest.
posted by billsaysthis at 11:34 AM on October 11, 2017
My cousin who lives in Trinidad has been all over me on Facebook today. Oh the humanity!!!
posted by Howard_T at 11:41 AM on October 11, 2017
We've been spared a discussion about whether we should be obliged to stand for the Russian anthem.
posted by beaverboard at 12:44 PM on October 11, 2017
Four years ago, the USA crushed Panama's bid for the World Cup with two late goals in the final match. Payback came last night with a late Panama goal against Costa Rica (OK, and a phantom goal).
posted by jjzucal at 07:06 PM on October 11, 2017
This is the first sporting result in a long time that gave me a restless night of sleep.
I'm telling myself this sacrifice of part of Pulisic's career will be for the good as it will bring a house-cleaning. Because if there's one thing international football management/ leadership is known for, it's being a meritocracy.
/kills self
posted by yerfatma at 08:43 PM on October 11, 2017
If you're thinking of jumping off a bridge, you'll have to get in line behind all the USSF people that Taylor Twellman wants to push into the bay.
posted by beaverboard at 09:04 PM on October 11, 2017
At one stage I was looking forward to an intercontinental playoff against you guys. Now it's Honduras, with the first leg scheduled for the homicide capital of the world. Thanks.
If it's any consolation, we're not having the best time of it in qualification either. The width of a post away from elimination against Syria.
Thus by these tiny measures does the fate of nations hang.
posted by owlhouse at 10:38 PM on October 11, 2017
The USA can join Wales, Scotland and Holland in a consolation cup. Everyone gets a participation trophy.
posted by jjzucal at 10:36 AM on October 12, 2017
jjzucal, I like your thinking!
posted by billsaysthis at 11:50 AM on October 12, 2017
Unbelievable. A country of 1.3 million with nothing to play for just kept us out of the World Cup. Millions of Americans who would've tuned in next year won't care at all. Pulisic is robbed of a cup. Dempsey, Howard and others are done. This is an absolute disaster.