It all comes down to Tuesday night.
After a long and bumpy qualifying road, the US national team can officially clinch their spot in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Tuesday's massive road game vs. Trinidad and Tobago (8 pm ET, beIN SPORTS, NBC Universo).
While the USMNT are in action, Honduras will also be hosting Mexico and Panama welcomes Costa Rica as the final day of CONCACAF qualifying comes to a close. Mexico (21 points) and Costa Rica (16 points) have already clinched the first two spots from CONCACAF, while the US (12 points), Panama (10 points) and Honduras (10 points) are vying for the third automatic spot. The fourth-place finisher will meet Australia in an intercontinental playoff.
Here are the scenarios that will put the USMNT in Russia next summer:
PTS |
W |
L |
D |
GF |
GA |
GD |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
<a href="/meta/club/mexico">Mexico</a> - x |
21 |
6 |
0 |
3 |
14 |
4 |
+10 |
Costa Rica - x |
16 |
4 |
1 |
4 |
13 |
6 |
+7 |
<a href="/meta/club/united-states">United States</a> |
12 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
16 |
11 |
+5 |
Panama |
10 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
7 |
9 |
-2 |
Honduras |
10 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
10 |
17 |
-7 |
Trinidad & Tobago |
3 |
1 |
8 |
0 |
5 |
18 |
-13 |
If USA wins
USA clinches an automatic berth to the World Cup.
If USA draw
USA clinches an automatic berth in the World Cup UNLESS Panama and Honduras both win and make up massive deficits in goal differential compared to the USA: Panama would have to win by eight goals while Honduras would have to win by 13 to be sure of advancing on tiebreakers.
A 4th-place finish and a playoff against Australia is a possibility after tiebreakers are applied.
If USA loses and ...
Honduras AND Panama both win: USA is eliminated from World Cup contention
Honduras win AND Panama draw: USA finishes 4th and faces Australia in playoff
Panama win AND Honduras draw: USA finishes 4th and faces Australia in playoff
Neither Panama nor Honduras win: USA clinches spot in World Cup
Deep breaths, everyone.
