Ben Epstein
THE SANTA CLARA
February 9, 2017
If the 2018 World Cup in Russia started tomorrow, the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) would be watching the tournament from home for the first time since 1990.
The team currently sits in last place of “The Hexagonal”—comprised of the final six CONCACAF teams competing for three eligible spots in the 2018 World Cup. The United States lost their first two games in qualifying to Mexico and Costa Rica, which ultimately cost former coach Jürgen Klinsmann his job.
The hiring of Bruce Arena, who was the USMNT coach from 1998-2006, as Klinsmann’s replacement was not the flashy hire that many fans were looking for.