Quick Reminder: A U.S. Soccer Team Can Still Qualify For The World Cup

Who could it be? 🤔
Christian Pulisic of the United States men's national team reacts to the referee's call during the FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between Trinidad and Tobago at the Ato Boldon Stadium on Oct. 10.
Christian Pulisic of the United States men's national team reacts to the referee's call during the FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between Trinidad and Tobago at the Ato Boldon Stadium on Oct. 10.
Ashley Allen via Getty Images

The U.S. men’s national soccer team lost to Trinidad and Tobago, 2-1, on Tuesday night and were eliminated from qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.

The loss was a devastating upset for USMNT fans since the team has competed in every World Cup since 1986. The team only had to tie Trinidad and Tobago in order to qualify for the World Cup, which is set in Russia next year.

Media outlets tweeted out the news, with The Associated Press writing: “United States misses first World Cup since 1986.” Just minutes before, “SportsCenter” tweeted: “For the first time since 1986, the United States will not participate in the World Cup.”

Some Twitter users were quick to point out one glaring omission in the media coverage: The U.S. women’s national soccer team still has a shot at going to the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France.

Remember them? The team who went undefeated in 2015 and finished their season by beating Japan 5-2 in the Women’s World Cup. The same team who also fought hard for pay equality (and has still yet to see it realized). Yep, them.

The United States celebrates winning the World Cup following the FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015 Final match between USA and Japan at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, Canada.
The United States celebrates winning the World Cup following the FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015 Final match between USA and Japan at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, Canada.
EMPICS Sport

Technically, the World Cup and the Women’s World Cup are two different events, which could be used as a way to sidestep some of the blanket statements made by media and fans. (The names themselves raise the question of why the default “World Cup” is male.)

USWNT fans tweeted out some snarky reminders that the U.S. is not fully eliminated from competing in the next World Cup.

Journalist Jessica Mason Pieklo addressed the AP’s misstep, writing on Twitter: “I’m sure they totally didn’t mean to erase the 3 World Cup wins by the women’s team at all. Harmless oversight even if corrected amirite.”

Bleacher Report writer Natalie Weiner added: “So when does the us women’s soccer team get the @ussoccer handle?” The men’s soccer team’s Twitter handle is simply @ussoccer, while the women’s team’s is @ussoccer_wnt.

Other Twitter users weighed in on the pay disparity between the women’s and men’s teams.

“The bright side of the U.S. soccer debacle: Maybe now they’ll finally pay the women’s team what it deserves,” ESPN columnist Mark Schlabach tweeted.

Here’s to the U.S. winning the 2019 Women’s World Cup!

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