Trinidad and Tobago 2 USA 1: Americans fail to qualify for World Cup for first time in 32 years after surprise defeat


USA will miss next year’s World Cup after a shock defeat at Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday.

Bruce Arena’s side finished fifth in the final North American standings in a disastrous end to their qualifying campaign.

Trinidad and Tobago pulled off a shock win over USA
Trinidad and Tobago pulled off a shock win over USA
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USA finished fifth in the North American final standings. Panama joined Mexico and Costa Rica in qualifying for the World Cup while fourth-placed Honduras will play Australia in a play-off
USA finished fifth in the North American final standings. Panama joined Mexico and Costa Rica in qualifying for the World Cup while fourth-placed Honduras will play Australia in a play-off

The US hadn’t missed the World Cup since 1986 and have generally made light work of qualifying.

But their defeat coupled with other results meant the Americans will not be going to Russia next summer.

USA needed just a point in the Caribbean to seal third place with a far superior goal difference to Panama and Honduras.

Mexico and Costa Rica had already qualified and had little to play for on the final day, and that did USA little favours.

Honduras fought back to beat Mexico 3-2, while Panama scored an 88th-minute winner to beat Costa Rica 2-1.

 

USA missed the World Cup for the first time in 32 years after a surprise defeat
USA missed the World Cup for the first time in 32 years after a surprise defeat
EPA
US football rising star Christian Pulisic was powerless to prevent defeat
US football rising star Christian Pulisic was powerless to prevent defeat

Both sides leapfrogged USA in the table as they fell to a 2-1 loss in Trinidad.

Panama sealed third place and qualification for the World Cup ahead of Honduras on goal difference.

Honduras will play Australia in a two-legged play-off next month for a spot in Russia.

An Omar Gonzalez own-goal followed by an Alvin Jones strike put Trinidad and Tobago 2-0 ahead in the first half to set alarm bells ringing for US boss Arena.

Rising star Christian Pulisic pulled one back, but USA were never able to force an equaliser.

And results elsewhere meant their run of seven World Cup appearances in a row came to a shock end.

Trinidad and Tobago had just one win in nine games before Tuesday
Trinidad and Tobago had just one win in nine games before Tuesday
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