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Jeff CarlisleSoccer
KALININGRAD, Russia – For the United States, Panama beat England 6-1 in an injury still gaping.
While Saudi Arabia was the first favorite for the unofficial title of "Best World Cup Team" when he was beaten 5-0 in the opening match by the host Russia Panama has taken over this nickname.
Of course, the canaleros Felipe Baloy will be the first scorer in the country at a World Cup. Meanwhile, Panamanian fans cheered until the end of Sunday's game and the sight of the players who realized that their support was a good time.
But with a goal differential of -8 before a final match against Tunisia, Panama seems more outmoded every minute that passes. The England match was completed early, the Three Lions led to a 5-0 halftime lead, which led to 45 minutes of trash that gave American fans time to land the inevitable question.
The simple answer? Because that deserved. Panama has done nothing disgusting to win the third and final automatic qualifying spot within CONCACAF, even though it has experienced massive breaks. The same is true for a Honduras team that finished fourth and qualified for a playoff spot, where it fell to Australia.
Whether you want to blame Jurgen Klinsmann, Bruce Arena, the American Football Federation, the players or all the above, the United States simply did not do the job and have themselves to blame. All that was needed, that was one more point – one! – And he would have finished third. The level of ineptitude that it took to not qualify is off the charts and there are no excuses.
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In addition, there is no guarantee that the United States would have done well in this tournament. Arena said it would have made some younger players work in a hypothetical World Cup list, but one wonders if that would have made a big difference.
The United States was largely overtaken by Belgium in the round of 16, four years ago, while only a superhuman effort by goalkeeper Tim Howard helped extend the game. With the team at a low level, there is little reason to think that the situation would have changed.
The struggles of Panama are certainly not a good look for CONCACAF, especially with Costa Rica also eliminated after only two matches. The nightmare scenario of none of his teams reaching the knockout rounds is still possible given that even with two wins, Mexico is not guaranteed to advance.
The performance of the Confederation is somewhat cyclical. four years ago, three CONCACAF teams progressed and Costa Rica reached the quarter-finals. In 2010, the United States and Mexico came out of the group stage and it was the same in 2002. Now, it seems that a new year 2006 is imminent, with Mexico carrying the flag by him -even.
As for the American players who will see this World Cup as an incentive to make amends, the motivation meter is already anchored in the red zone. In talking with players like Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams, they are well aware of what has happened and have all the motivation they need.
And if there are reasons why CONCACAF is holding back the United States, the qualifying debacle shows that she is not able to turn her nose up. Let's see how the new generation of players qualify for the 2019 Gold Cup, as well as the CONCACAF Nations League – both offering vital chances of gaining a competitive experience, especially on the road – before thinking that the federation is too easy.
Meanwhile, all the United States can do is look at what is happening in Russia and continue to improve.
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