USMNT are in a sticky scenario in the World Cup qualifiers. The Stars and Stripes’ hopes of booking a ticket to Russia for next year’s tournament hang by a thread, as Bruce Arena’s side sit in fourth in the standings.
With only the top three teams sealing automatic qualification, only two straight tickets to World Cup 2018 remain – Mexico have already qualified as group leaders. United States sit in the playoff spot, but are tied with Honduras on points.
Here are the permutations for USNMT to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
Finishing in third
Only two qualifiers remain, meaning it’s do or die for USMNT. They take on Panama on October 6 and then Trinidad & Tobago four days later. The easiest way for Bruce Arena’s side to grab an automatic qualification is by winning both games.
The Stars and Stripes have a superior goal difference of seven over Honduras, which will be hard to make up. A win against Panama would also see USMNT leapfrog Los Canaleros into third.
Other ways USA can finish third
Beat Panama and draw with Trinidad and Tobago: USMNT will still need Panama to not win their final game vs Costa Rica and Honduras to gain four or fewer points without making up for the goal difference.
Draw with Panama, beat Trinidad and Tobago: USMNT will still need Panama to not win their final game vs Costa Rica and Honduras to gain four or fewer points without making up for the goal difference.
Beat Panama, lose to Trinidad and Tobago: USMNT will still need Panama to not win their final game vs Costa Rica and Honduras to gain no more than three points without making up for the goal difference.
Finishing in fourth
A win for Panama in their final qualifier on top of a superior goal difference than USA would see the Star and Stripes miss out on the automatic qualification.
What happens if USA lose to Panama?
USMNT will kiss an automatic qualification goodbye, as the last two spots will go to Costa Rica and Panana. USA will have to hope Honduras slip up in order to maintain their grip on the play-off spot.
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