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Heartbreak for Yedlin as US miss out on World Cup
Written by Rory Mitchinson
The Magpies' DeAndre Yedlin will not be going to next summer’s World Cup after the United States suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Trinidad & Tobago.
Their failure to pick up a point against the Soca Warriors, coupled with dramatic wins for Panama and Honduras, means that the US will sit out a global finals for the first time since 1986.
Trinidad & Tobago – whose own hopes of qualification had long since ended – were gifted an early advantage courtesy of Omar Gonzalez’s own goal, and doubled their lead before the break through Alvin Jones.
Christian Pulisic halved the deficit early into the second half, but the Stars and Stripes – for whom Yedlin played all 90 minutes – were unable to find a leveller.
The US would still have secured a play-off place, at least, had Panama and Honduras not beaten Costa Rica and Mexico respectively, but the Central American duo both came from behind to record memorable victories.
As a result, Panama join the latter pair in securing an automatic ticket to Russia, while Honduras will take on Australia in the inter-continental play-offs.
Elsewhere, Mikel Merino opened the scoring as Spain’s Under-21s won 4-1 in Slovakia to continue their 100 per cent start to qualification for the 2019 European Championship.
Merino was withdrawn just before the end as La Rojita moved up to second in Group D, three points behind Northern Ireland, who have played two games more.
Freddie Woodman, meanwhile, was an unused substitute as England’s Under-21s saw off Andorra by a single goal.