I can’t believe it. I can’t believe it. You’re reading this because: neither can you.
Going in to Tuesday night’s game against Trinidad and Tobago, the US held their destiny in their hands. Win, and they go to the World Cup in Russia. Tie, and... they go to the World Cup in Russia. Even if they lost, the US would need the right set of bad circumstances - Honduras beating Mexico, and Panama beating Costa Rica - to be eliminated outright, without even heading to a two-legged playoff against Australia.
Well, the stars aligned for ill.
The US will not be going to the World Cup in Russia in 2018.