U.S. misses out on World Cup after stunning loss to Trinidad

The United States will miss out on the World Cup for the first time since 1986 after a sensational 2-1 loss to Trinidad and Tobago.

Combined with Panama and Honduras winning their respective qualifiers, Bruce Arena's men were eliminated Tuesday after failing to overcome a first-half deficit.

It's an outcome few could have predicted before kickoff.

The United States only needed to avoid a loss to ensure a spot in Russia, after a 4-0 win over Panama gave the country an almost insurmountable goal differential.

However, Honduras' 3-2 win over Mexico and a dramatic 88th-minute goal to lift Panama to a 2-1 victory over Costa Rica ultimately ended the dreams of the U.S. players, who were left shell-shocked at the Ato Boldon Stadium.

"This game was perfectly positioned for the U.S. team," Arena said, according to Jeff Carlisle of ESPN. "We failed on the day."

"We have no excuses."

Trinidad's World Cup bid was already over before the match began, but the hosts didn't show any signs of indifference when things kicked off. The few Trinidad supporters who sparsely attended the match were given something to cheer about in the 17th minute when a ball into the U.S. penalty area resulted in an own goal from Omar Gonzalez, whose clearance attempt sailed over Tim Howard.

The visitor's task of producing a positive result was made even more difficult 20 minutes later when Alvin Jones appeared to catch Howard off guard with an audacious 25-yard strike to put Trinidad up 2-0.

Christian Pulisic revived hopes two minutes into the second half when his strike from the top of the box found the back of the net, after seemingly taking a deflection.

Clint Dempsey's second-half introduction boosted the United States' chances of grabbing an equalizer, with his effort in the 77th minute smacking off the post.

Bobby Wood came closest in the final moments of the encounter, but Adrian Foncette produced a brilliant save to stop his close-range header.

The United States will now be forced to watch the sport's biggest spectacle from home for the first time in over 30 years.