Mar 30, 2022; San Jose, Costa Rica; (EDITORS NOTE: Photo is for use by U.S. and Canadian Customers Only) Costa Rica’s Juan Vargas celebrates scoring their first goal against the United States at Estadio Nacional. Mandatory Credit: Mayela Lopez/Reuters via USA TODAY Sports

Entering Wednesday’s match with Costa Rica, the United States men’s national soccer team had a pretty easy path to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. A win, tie or loss by five goals or fewer would be good enough for the USA to qualify.

The good news for the Americans? They qualified.

What was the bad news? Let’s just say that it wasn’t exactly an overwhelming clinching performance. The American team didn’t come too close to an outright disaster but did use some of its margin for error.

So, if you were hoping that the USMNT would kick the door down and qualify in style after missing out in 2018, a 2-0 loss is probably not the result you were looking for.

The “win” drew a divided reaction. Several USMNT fans on Twitter were stressed out by what took place on the pitch.

https://twitter.com/jacob_seliga/status/1509355646470090755

Other observers, though, had a more circumspect attitude. For them, qualifying is the only thing that mattered.

Furthermore, limping into the World Cup doesn’t necessarily mean that the USMNT won’t enjoy any success once it begins.

https://twitter.com/davisjsn/status/1509364483453595656

The 2022 World Cup is set to begin on November 21 in Qatar. The USMNT is already looking forward to it.

After missing out on qualifying four years ago, the Americans will be looking to make up for lost time.

About Michael Dixon

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