‘Revenge,’ Shock And Rage, After U.S. Men’s Team Whiffs On World Cup

By failing to reach the World Cup for the first time since 1986, the U.S. men’s soccer team has set off shock and surprise — and, depending on where you stand, elation or sadness. It’s a huge setback for the squad that fell to Trinidad and Tobago Tuesday night; it is also an upset that set off a wide range of strong reactions.

“Heartbreak,” the U.S. Soccer official Twitter feed said of the loss, which it described as part of a “perfect storm” of results that eliminated the American men’s team.

The loss immediately touched off criticisms and calls for changes in the U.S. Soccer system. And many compared population sizes — the U.S. has some 326 million people, and Trinidad and Tobago has 1.2 million. And this week, Iceland, with a population of 335,000, became the smallest country ever to qualify for the World Cup.

Soccer fans also noted that the women’s national team has enjoyed record-setting levels of success — and for less pay: Its members filed an equal-pay lawsuit against U.S. Soccer last year. Others said the collapse was proof that the U.S. player development system is inherently flawed.