Dortmund star Pulisic and the USMNT fail to qualify for World Cup

It has actually happened. The United States have failed to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

It is rather hard to process the fact that we have failed as a nation to emerge from the CONCACAF Hexagonal, because even though failure to qualify was always a reality for the United States, it never seemed like it would materialize.

The potential failure that started out as a faint whisper in the distance grew louder and louder as the final qualifying round progressed. Even as it became more and more tangible, it never seemed like it would happen until it became our sad reality. We are all stunned, and the implications for the game we love are huge.

Christian Pulisic couldn’t carry the weight of an entire nation on his 19-year-old back. He is undoubtedly the most talented player that the nation has ever seen.

It’s no secret that the kid can play. He is one of the few bright spots that the USMNT has, and his development at Borussia Dortmund will continue to provide hope for fans in the United States. It will be encouraging to fans of U.S. Soccer to keep up with Borussia Dortmund, watching matches to see their young star play against high levels of competition week in and week out.

For Dortmund, there are some benefits to the USMNT missing out on the World Cup. For one, Pulisic will be able to spend the entirety of preseason with the squad. This is big news, because the German club will be doing its preseason tour in the United States, so having their young American star will undoubtedly be a positive. He also won’t be returning to Dortmund from Russia with an injury. Always a good thing.

USMNT players must follow Pulisic into Europe

The very core of soccer in the United States will be rattled by this failure. Our play on the field is simply not good enough. If a nation of 323 million people cannot get a result against Trinidad and Tobago with World Cup qualification on the line, they cannot be expected to compete with the elite teams in the world like Germany, Belgium, Brazil, and so on. When it boils down to it, the product on the field has to improve.

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The future of the USMNT lies in Europe. Yes, players can develop here in the United States, but the simple fact of the matter is that the elite academy programs with world class coaching are across the Atlantic. For our potential wonder-kids to develop into their full potential, they need to follow the lead of Christian Pulisic, Bobby Wood, and Weston Mckennie.

A significant factor in the development of these players has been the old mantra; “If you want to BE the best you have to BEAT the best.” The level of coaching and talent in the European academies is higher, helping the teenagers to grow into their potential. When talent is found here in the U.S, making moves to European academies should be encouraged.

It’s going to be a long process, but U.S. Soccer will be better off in the long run because of this if they are diligent and thoughtful about making positive changes to the system. The wake up call is here, and there is nothing else to do other than pick up the pieces and move forward. We must do better.