As we know the world cup comes every 4 years, and to many soccer fans, it’s a very exciting time to watch and hope for their country to win the prestigious cup. Sadly, U.S. soccer fans might have to wait another 4 Years to qualify after the US team’s 2-1 loss to Trinidad and Tobago on Oct. 10. For the first time in 31 years, the U.S. Men’s Team will not be qualifying for the world cup due to their poor team management and their previous losses.

At kickoff, you could notice that the team had high hopes to win the game, but after a horrifying own goal by Omar Gonzalez in the 18’ minute the team’s moral dropped. Another 18 minutes passed and Trinidad and Tobago scored another  goal by Alvin Jones from the 32 yards out.

At the beginning of the second half,  Christian Pulisic scored a goal for the U.S. For the rest of the game there were no other auspicious chances for the U.S. team and by the end of the 90 minutes, the final score was 2-1 granting Trinidad and Tobago a favorable win. With Honduras beating México 3-2 and Panama beating Costa Rica 2-1, it would leave the U.S in 5th place which left them one spot off from going to the playoffs to try and gain the last chance to qualify.

 “I think that the U.S. underestimated Trinidad and Tobago and that they thought that it was going to be an easy win, and they (U.S.) ended up playing poorly and ended up not qualifying,” junior Jennifer Chavez said.“The U.S. started off with an attacking position and that it would have been more strategic to start more with possession and to concentrate the ball in the midfield”.

“The U.S. team went in well prepared for the game but the goals were all mistakes from the defense and the goalkeeper, also the team’s hopes went down by the second goal and some was regained when the U.S. scored in the 47th minute,” freshman Jerver Torres said. 

 “I was very disappointed and I thought that it was a winnable game, but also we did not play to our full potential,” varsity girls soccer coach Ottavio said.“I don’t think in individual players and because the individual player is not the problem, but instead we need to take a step back and look at the team as a whole.”

Even though we will have to wait another 4 years to try and qualify for the world cup, it can be agreed upon that the management of the team was the main problem. With a new manager in charge, we will have to push ourselves and work harder than ever to qualify for the world cup and to show other countries what the U.S. can really do.