Former U.S. players deliver postmortems in wake of Trinidad shame
There's no use pointing fingers at Mexico's failure to overcome Honduras or time-wasting Panamanian ballboys - the United States lost to Trinidad and Tobago, and it only has itself to blame.
Related: U.S. misses out on World Cup after stunning loss to Trinidad
Some believe that Bruce Arena's inability to turn around a qualification campaign initially put at risk by Jurgen Klinsmann's mismanagement reflects a systemic crisis, while some are looking closer to home - and both team selection and player attitude deserve scrutiny.
Here are the postmortems from respected former players in the U.S. soccer community:
.@sunilgulati OUT 👋🏼 #USMNT
— herculez gomez (@herculezg) October 11, 2017
I'm sick right now
— Tony Meola (@TMeola1) October 11, 2017
And everybody talked shit about Jürgen!!! Ridiculous stupid.... man I get too much!!! I feel sorry for the boys!
— Jermaine Jones (@Jermainejunior) October 11, 2017
Today is the worst day in US Soccer History.
— Kyle Martino (@kylemartino) October 11, 2017
So Sad! 0-1-8 and they beat the US? This hurts
— Paul Caligiuri (@PaulCaligiuri20) October 11, 2017
Is a tough pill to swallow. We will bounce back without doubt. But it starts with our youth. We need better coaching developing more talent.
— Eddie Johnson (@eddie_johnson7) October 11, 2017
Remember this moment and never assume. You are not great unless you are able to be great
— Tony Sanneh (@TonySanneh) October 11, 2017
We must learn from this and move forward to ensure a brighter future for soccer in the US. Thanks to the fans for always believing 🇺🇸⚽️
— Landon Donovan (@landondonovan) October 11, 2017
USA not qualifying for the World Cup is not a just domestic embarrassment, it's a global one. By far worst night ever, for US Soccer. BY far
— Heath Gregory Pearce (@heathpearce) October 11, 2017