Jason Kreis’ team allowed goals just before and just after head time to extend the program’s string of qualifying failures
For the third consecutive cycle, the U.S. Under-23 men’s national team has failed to qualify for the Olympics.
The U.S. were knocked out of CONCACAF’s Olympic qualifying tournament in the semifinal round as they fell 2-1 to Honduras.
With the loss, the U.S. will not head to Tokyo this summer while Honduras will head to the Olympic games for the fourth consecutive time.
Another nightmare
Having not been to the Olympics since the 2008 Games, the U.S. were left heartbroken on Sunday as they capitulated once again in Olympic qualifying.
Following a lackadaisical start, the U.S. conceded a horrific goal just before the halftime whistle with Honduras’ Juan Carlos Obregon Jr. bundling home the opener four minutes into first-half stoppage time.
Then, just moments into the second half, Honduras had a second, with U.S. goalkeeper David Ochoa smashing the ball off Honduras’ Luis Palma and straight into the back of his own net while trying to play out of the back.
The U.S. did find a goal moments later, with captain Jackson Yueill firing home a missile from just outside the box, but it wouldn’t be enough for the U.S. to avoid yet another qualifying failure.
A look back
The U.S. has now fallen short in qualifying each of the last three cycles, making their last Olympic appearance in 2008.
In 2012, the U.S failed to make it out of the group stage, finishing behind Canada and El Salvador after a disastrous three-game run.
Three years later, as they aimed to qualify for the 2016 games, the U.S. looked to be well on their way after winning all three of their group stage games with a +11 goal difference.
However, matched up with Honduras in the semi-finals, the U.S. were defeated 2-0 and were then knocked out of contention altogether as they lost an intercontinental playoff to Colombia.
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