There are two World Cup Qualifying matches left for the USMNT. At least. If results stay where they are now, the US would finish 4th in the Hex and would need the intercontinental playoff to qualify. That by no means is a death sentence for World Cup success. The USWNT needed a playoff to make the 2011 Women’s World Cup and they made the finals. For 2014, Mexico needed the playoff and Uruguay needed it in both 2014 and 2010.
The US are likely to finish third over Panama and Honduras, but what happens if things go sideways and a fourth place finish happens?