The USMNT needed simply to not lose by six goals to Costa Rica to qualify for the World Cup. So fans were oddly celebrating the 2-0 loss on Wednesday.
It was a simple formula for the United States Men’s National Team in terms of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying as they entered Wednesday night’s away fixture against Costa Rica and the last of qualifying. If the Americans could avoid a 6-0 defeat on the heels of their thumping of Panama the previous weekend, the USMNT would move on to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The match against Costa Rica was anything but the US’s best effort. They were sloppy defensively, the attacks couldn’t find their marks and things just looked a bit disjointed. As the final whistle blew, however, the United States took just a 2-0 loss.
And with that, the USMNT officially punched their ticket to the World Cup after missing out in 2018.
USMNT qualifies for World Cup: Fans celebrate
Even if it looks like a 2-0 loss on Wednesday, the overall result is a massive win for the Americans with the ticket punched to Qatar. So in that light, it was an odd celebration for fans as they felt triumphant despite losing the night’s match by two goals.
USMNT lost USMNT is going
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 31, 2022
the match to the World Cup pic.twitter.com/E5cBHKkmO2
If @USMNT wants to win the World Cup they need to bring these back out on a global stage pic.twitter.com/CaFRJ6iVK4
— Chief (@BarstoolChief) March 31, 2022
Despite a 2-0 loss to Costa Rica, the #USMNT is headed to Qatar in November to play in #WorldCup2022 @wusa9 pic.twitter.com/FhOJYI0YSx
— Tom Hunsicker (@TomSportsWUSA9) March 31, 2022
https://twitter.com/cameronsalerno1/status/1509365417684340741
It's been a long 8 years since Brazil, and a long 4 years since failing to qualify in 2018. We are back. #USMNT https://t.co/8wu5MP5ACP
— Dan Baran (@dbaran2) March 31, 2022
https://twitter.com/muldowney/status/1509370096115863556
https://twitter.com/StevenDialFox4/status/1509369649850372097
The boys are back. #USMNT pic.twitter.com/Ikf6ytk1yh
— Jake Stansell (@jakestansell_) March 31, 2022
https://twitter.com/IntChampionsCup/status/1509368775274991620
Losing two goals to nil has never felt so good. But as Patrick Muldowney of The Ringer put it perfectly, the goal of qualifiers isn’t to win every match — it’s to qualify. And the United States did their job in that regard, which is the most important part.
When does the 2022 World Cup start?
Kicking off in winter (stateside) in Qatar, the 2022 World Cup will begin on Nov. 21 this year with the knockout rounds lasting until mid-December. Most notably, the final will be held on Dec. 18.
After missing out in 2018, this is a huge moment for the United States. You could make the argument that this is one of the most talented sides that the country has ever put on the pitch, so for them to punch their tickets and now have a chance to shock the world in Qatar is truly special.