There were a few big name countries that didn’t make the 2018 World Cup.
Italy and the Netherlands are the standout pair, but when you consider the ease of the qualifying campaign the US team competes in, their absence might be the most noteworthy.
The Yanks failed to qualify after a humiliating loss to Trinidad and Tobago in their final match, when all they needed was a draw, and that left them watching events in Russia from the sideline.
Look, we can’t be too judgmental, because Bafana Bafana is a national laughing stock, but let’s move along.
You wanted to see 45 seconds of horrendous ‘soccer’, as it’s called over that side of the world, so here you go.
This one comes from the United Soccer League (USL), which is the country’s second-tier league (like the English Championship league), and should be relatable to anyone who has ever played FIFA and wanted to smash the controller:
There’s missed chances and then there’s LOTS of missed chances. You have to see this to believe it… pic.twitter.com/IXtNDTkDnI
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 9, 2018
That failed bicycle kick really is the cherry on top.
Here’s something interesting about the 23-man English World Cup squad – 18 members have played outside of the Premier League.
The only players that have played Premier League footie are Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Raheem Sterling, Phil Jones, Marcus Rashford and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Not to be nasty, but I don’t reckon many of the chaps in that USL league will be leading the US to a World Cup semi-final.
Prepare to hear lots of ‘it’s coming home’ today.
