The analysis and second-guessing began before the U.S. national team had even left the tiny stadium in central Trinidad that will forever be linked to one of the most epic failures in American soccer history.
The U.S. entered the final day of World Cup qualifying Tuesday in control of its own destiny, needing only a draw against lowly Trinidad and Tobago to advance to an eighth straight World Cup. Instead it was out-played, out-hustled and outclassed by the 99th-ranked team in the world.
And when both Panama and Honduras won their qualifiers moments later, the Americans’ fate was sealed and a generation of men’s soccer progress in the U.