The United States men’s national team failed to qualify to next summer’s FIFA World Cup in Russia after falling 2-1 to Trinidad & Tobago on Tuesday at Port of Spain.
The Soca Warriors took the lead in the 17th minute when a cross from Alvin Jones ricocheted off Omar Gonzalez for an own-goal. Trinidad doubled its lead when Jones struck a ball from 40-yard out past Tim Howard in the 37th minute.
Christian Pulisic cut T&T’s lead in the 47th minute, but that was much it for the Yanks, who relied on the other games between Honduras-Mexico and Panama-Costa Ric.
Honduras beat Mexico 3-2 on the same night, but it was Panama’s late-game heroics from Roman Torres that led Los Canaleros to a 2-1 victory over Costa Rica and punched their ticket to the World Cup.
Here are the final CONCACAF World Cup qualifying Hex standings:
- Mexico, 21 points
- Costa Rica, 16 points
- Panama, 13 points
- Honduras*, 13 points
- United States, 12 points
- Trinidad & Tobago 6 points
*Will play Australia in playoff to determine final World Cup spot.
(Photo by Brandon Connelly / Orlando Soccer Journal)
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