19.03.2024

US out of World Cup contention with 2-1 loss at Trinidad

The United States has been eliminated from World Cup contention, a shocking loss at Trinidad ending the Americans’ streak of seven straight appearances at soccer’s showcase.

Twenty-eight years after a stunning victory at Trinidad put the Americans back in the World Cup after a four-decade absence, their chances for next year’s tournament in Russia ended on this island nation off the coast of Venezuela.

Players of the United States pose for pictures before the start of their 2018 World Cup qualifier football match against Trinidad and Tobago, in Couva, Trinidad and Tobago, on October 10, 2017

USA’s Michael Bradley (L) and Trinidad and Tobago’s Nathan Lewis vie for the ball during their 2018 World Cup qualifier football match in Couva, Trinidad and Tobago, on October 10, 2017

Players of the United States pose for pictures before the start of their 2018 World Cup qualifier football match against Trinidad and Tobago, in Couva, Trinidad and Tobago, on October 10, 2017

Trinidad and Tobago’s Curtis Gonzales during the 2018 World Cup qualifier football match against the US in Couva, Trinidad and Tobago, on October 10, 2017

Trinidad and Tobago's Curtis Gonzales during the 2018 World Cup qualifier football match against the US in Couva, Trinidad and Tobago, on October 10, 2017 USA's Michael Bradley (L) and Trinidad and Tobago's Nathan Lewis vie for the ball during their 2018 World Cup qualifier football match in Couva, Trinidad and Tobago, on October 10, 2017

USA’s Matt Besler (C) and USA’s Jorge Villafana (R) vie for the ball with Trinidad and Tobago’s Nathan Lewis (L) during their 2018 World Cup qualifier October 10, 2017

USA's Matt Besler (C) and USA's Jorge Villafana (R) vie for the ball with Trinidad and Tobago's Nathan Lewis (L) during their 2018 World Cup qualifier October 10, 2017

United States’ Christian Pulisic, front, fights for control of the ball with Trinidad and Tobago’s Nathan Lewis Oct. 10, 2017

United States' Christian Pulisic, front, fights for control of the ball with Trinidad and Tobago's Nathan Lewis Oct. 10, 2017

United States’ Christian Pulisic, front, fights for control of the ball with Trinidad and Tobago’s Nathan Lewis Oct. 10, 2017

Trinidad and Tobago's Adrian Foncette (L), Trinidad and Tobago's Daneil Cyrus and USA's Christian Pulisic jump for the ball during their 2018 World Cup qualifier football match in Couva, Trinidad and Tobago, on October 10, 2017

Trinidad and Tobago’s Adrian Foncette (L), Trinidad and Tobago’s Daneil Cyrus and USA’s Christian Pulisic jump for the ball during their 2018 World Cup qualifier football match in Couva, Trinidad and Tobago, on October 10, 2017

Trinidad and Tobago’s Daneil Cyrus (L) and USA’s Christian Pulisic vie during their 2018 World Cup qualifier football match in Couva, Trinidad and Tobago, on October 10, 2017

USA’s Christian Pulisic (R) is marked by Trinidad and Tobago’s Kevon Villaroel during their 2018 World Cup qualifier football match in Couva, Trinidad and Tobago, on October 10, 2017

United States’ Matt Besler, squats on the pitch after losing 2-1 against Trinidad and Tobago during a 2018 World Cup qualifying soccer match in Couva, Trinidad, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017

Trinidad and Tobago scored a pair of first-half goals, and the United States was eliminated with a 2-1 defeat Tuesday night – the first time missing the World Cup since 1986.

The U.S. entered its final qualifier with a berth uncertain for the first time since 1989. Home losses to Mexico last November and Costa Rica left the Americans little margin for error.

The 28th-ranked Americans needed merely a tie against 99th-ranked Trinidad, which lost its sixth straight qualifier last week.

But the defeat – coupled with Honduras’ come-from-behind 3-2 win over Mexico and Panama’s 2-1 victory over Costa Rica on Ramon Torres’ 88th-minute goal – dropped the Americans from third place into fifth in the six-nation final round of the North and Central American and Caribbean region.

Players of Trinidad and Tobago pose for pictures before the start of their 2018 World Cup qualifier football match against the United States, in Couva, Trinidad and Tobago, on October 10, 2017

Trinidad's Shahdon Winchester celebrates with his teammates after scoring against U.S. during a World Cup qualifying soccer match in Couva, Trinidad, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017

Trinidad’s Shahdon Winchester celebrates with his teammates after scoring against U.S. during a World Cup qualifying soccer match in Couva, Trinidad, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017

Trinidad and Tobago’s Alvin Jones (17) celebrates with teammate Nathan Lewis after scoring against U.S. during a World Cup qualifying soccer match in Couva, Trinidad, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017

Trinidad and Tobago's Alvin Jones (17) celebrates with his teammates after scoring against U.S. during a World Cup qualifying soccer match in Couva, Trinidad, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017

Trinidad and Tobago’s Alvin Jones (17) celebrates with his teammates after scoring against U.S. during a World Cup qualifying soccer match in Couva, Trinidad, Tuesday, Oct. 10,
2017

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