USA KO’D FROM WORLD CUP
Coach Bruce Arena accepted responsibility after the U.S. men’s team failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia thanks to an extraordinary set of events Tuesday night. Needing just a tie against host Trinidad and Tobago, the bottom team in the CONCACAF regional qualification group, the USA came unstuck on a soggy field in Couva, in front of just over 1,000 fans, against a motivated opponent, and lost 2-1. That opened the door for Panama and Honduras to leapfrog the Americans, who had started the night in third spot. CONCACAF sends three teams into the tournament while a fourth goes into a playoff. Panama grabbed a late lead to beat Costa Rica 2-1 and seal third, while Honduras beat Mexico 3-2 to clinch a playoff place against Australia. “We should not be staying home for this World Cup,” Arena said. “And I take responsibility for it. ... We had everything there for us today. We had a (first) half where we didn’t play well. We started (the) second in good shape and no excuses for not getting a second goal and getting something out of the game.” — Martin Rogers
uCristiano Ronaldo and Portugal are going to the World Cup. France also sealed its ticket to Russia on Tuesday with a 2-1 win against Belarus after, like Portugal, needing a second chance in the playoffs to reach the 2010 and 2014 tournaments. After runner-up and third-place finishes in those World Cups, the Netherlands will miss out in 2018 after finishing third in Group A, despite beating Sweden 2-0. Portugal beat Switzerland 2-0. ... Li
onel Messi’s three goals lifted Argentina into the World Cup, keeping the Albiceleste from missing out for the first time since 1970. The two-time champs defeated Ecuador 3-1. Also advancing from South America: Brazil, Uruguay and Colombia.