So now what? USMNT needs to bounce back after World Cup Failure

Following the biggest loss in US Soccer history, the Red, White, and Blue need to change their focus to avoid a repeat in 2022.

As the dust settles from the USMNT’s loss against Trinidad and Tobago, eliminating them from World Cup Qualifying, the team is now left to pick up the pieces and look ahead. That doesn’t make their performance feel any less surreal. The US had long qualified before this point during the 2014 cycle, which saw the USMNT finish atop the group.

The road this time around, however, was much different. The US hit plenty of bumps. Even before the Hex, Guatemala beat the USMNT for the first time since 1988 and the US only managed a scoreless draw in their first trip to Trinidad and Tobago. Along with those results, the team was dealt a 2-1 loss at home against Mexico in their first match of the Hex, then experienced multiple poor results including a 4-0 loss in Costa Rica, a 2-1 loss to Costa Rica at home, and the final 2-1 loss in Trinidad. They earned draws in Mexico, Panama, and Honduras but most of their performance left much to be desired.

Why did it happen?

It has been well noted that the US has missed the last two Olympics along with the last U-23 World Cup, which likely played a role in their poor performance. While the other CONCACAF nations have moved on to the next crop of contributors, the US relied on the old guard through much of qualifying. Five of the players who saw the field against T&T (Tim Howard, Clint Dempsey, Benny Feilhaber, Jozy Altidore, and Michael Bradley) played in the 2010 World Cup Knockout Round match again Ghana, while Brad Guzan and DeMarcus Beasley were on both squads as well.

More from MLS Multiplex

The lack of up and coming players have occurred for several reasons, and names like Luis Gil, Freddy Adu, Julian Green, and Mix Diskerud all fell by the wayside. Even with the lack of standouts, the USMNT didn’t do itself any favors as both Klinsmann and Arena opted to go with the old guard in many important situations that would have allowed key up and comers a chance to gain experience. Someone like Chris Wondolowski, who is an established MLS and World Cup veteran, was called in on multiple occasions while younger prospects were left on the outside looking in. Wondolowski will be 35 by the time the World Cup starts, and that experience could have gone to a younger player to help build them for the national stage.

Along with aging veterans, the defense was never shaped into a cohesive unit. John Brooks, the pools best centerback, was unavailable due to injury. Bruce Arena didn’t help himself at all when he opted to not play Geoff Cameron (or even call up Fabian Johnson) for the last two qualifying matches. The constant shuffling led to several shaky defensive performances and lopsided losses for the US. Even against Panama in their 4-0, the defense was pressured often and make several sloppy mistakes. Both Arena and Klinsmann had a chance to build a backline around Cameron and Brooks for years, but the constant roulette didn’t do anyone favors and definitely didn’t establish any semblance of a reliable partnership.

The Omar Gonzalez own-goal against T&T was a sad, yet accurate summation of the backline woes since the 2014 World Cup.

Looking Ahead

The USMNT now have over 600 days before their next competitive match, the 2019 Gold Cup. The Gold Cup itself offers a competitive tournament with relatively low consequences if the team fails to perform. The tournament is a great chance to build up the next generation, especially with the nearly two-year build-up ahead of them. Christian Pulisic is the most exciting prospect ever, and there are several young players making waves on their own who should immediately start getting significant minutes in every USMNT match moving forward.

Cameron Carter-Vickers and Matt Miazga have a chance to early dozens of starts together before the next qualifying cycle begins. Weston McKennie should help Pulisic control the midfield, and young Josh Sargent can be the next US target forward.

With no competitive matches before the Gold Cup, and even more time before 2022 Qualifying gets underway, there has never been a better time for a full overhaul of the roster with the focus being building toward a long-term goal instead of a short-term victory.

Home/CONCACAF