Match ends, Trinidad and Tobago 2, USA 1.
T'dad & TobagoTrinidad and Tobago2USAUSA1
The United States failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1986 after losing to Trinidad & Tobago and a controversial goal for Panama.
The US started the night in the third qualifying place but ended up fifth after losing 2-1.
Panama jumped up to third after an 88th-minute winner against Costa Rica to reach their first World Cup finals.
However, it was their opening goal that caused debate with Gabriel Torres' header not appearing to cross the line.
The 52nd-minute equaliser came from a corner with Torres' effort hitting the post and as Blas Perez tried to force the ball over the line, Ticos defender Ronald Matarrita looked to have cleared it.
However, despite complaints from the visitors, referee Walter Lopez of Guatemala gave the goal.
Honduras beat already-qualified group winners Mexico to also leapfrog the US and secure fourth spot in the table and a two-leg play-off against Australia.
The US beat Panama 4-0 just last Friday but, despite playing a Trinidad & Tobago side with just three points from nine games before kick-off, never looked close to securing a place in Russia.
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"We had everything there for us," coach Bruce Arena said.
"We failed on the day. No excuses. We failed today. We should have walked off this field with at least a point. We should not be staying at home for this World Cup and I take responsibility."
Omar Gonzalez stretched to cut out a cross and only succeeded in steering the ball past veteran goalkeeper Tim Howard, before Alvin Jones rocketed in a superb 35-yard strike to double the hosts' lead.
Borussia Dortmund teenager - and star of the win in Panama - Christian Pulisic gave the US hope soon after the restart with a fine long-range goal of his own, but with Honduras beating Mexico it looked like a play-off place for the States.
And then, with time running out in Panama City, Torres - who plays his club football in Seattle - latched on to a long ball forwards and smashed in off the crossbar to send Panama through and leave the US in the wilderness.
'The most surreal and embarrassing night in US soccer history'
In contrast to Panama, the United States has a population of 323.1 million. Their opponents on Tuesday, Trinidad and Tobago, have a population of 1.3m - roughly the same as the US state of Maine.
Described as the "most surreal and embarrassing night in US soccer history" and "simply devastating" by American journalists, the players were left in tears following their shock 2-1 loss.
Captain Michael Bradley described the night as the "perfect storm."
"Everything that could have possibly gone wrong did, in this stadium and in two other stadiums across the region," he added.
"To give away the first goal like that [on an own goal] is a killer. But the reality is it was all there for us, and we have nobody to blame but ourselves."
Line-ups
T'dad & Tobago
Formation 4-5-1
- 22Foncette
- 17Jones
- 5Cyrus
- 13Gonzales
- 18HodgeBooked at 68minsSubstituted forVillaroelat 82'minutes
- 7Lewis
- 23Paul
- 19George
- 8Hyland
- 16GarcíaSubstituted forJonesat 72'minutesBooked at 90mins
- 9WinchesterSubstituted forCaesarat 78'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Samuel
- 2Moses
- 3Jones
- 4Villaroel
- 6Trimmingham
- 10Muckette
- 11Benjamin
- 12St Hillaire
- 14Roach
- 15London
- 20Caesar
- 21Ranjitsingh
USA
Formation 4-1-2-1-2
- 1Howard
- 2Yedlin
- 3GonzálezBooked at 90mins
- 5BeslerBooked at 90mins
- 15Flores VillafañaSubstituted forAcostaat 72'minutes
- 4Bradley
- 21ArriolaSubstituted forDempseyat 45'minutes
- 6NagbeSubstituted forFeilhaberat 84'minutes
- 10Pulisic
- 9Wood
- 17Altidore
Substitutes
- 7Beasley
- 8Dempsey
- 11Bedoya
- 12Guzan
- 13McCarty
- 14Ream
- 16Feilhaber
- 18Wondolowski
- 19Zusi
- 20Cameron
- 22Rimando
- 23Acosta
- Referee:
- Marlon Mejia
- Attendance:
- 1,500
Match Stats
Home TeamT'dad & TobagoAway TeamUSA
- Possession
- Home39%
- Away61%
- Shots
- Home11
- Away15
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away5
- Corners
- Home2
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home11
- Away18
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Trinidad and Tobago 2, USA 1.
Booking
Matt Besler (USA) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Matt Besler (USA).
Post update
Trevin Caesar (Trinidad and Tobago) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Attempt missed. Omar González (USA) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Michael Bradley with a cross following a corner.
Post update
Corner, USA. Conceded by Curtis Gonzales.
Booking
Joevin Jones (Trinidad and Tobago) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Attempt missed. Alvin Jones (Trinidad and Tobago) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left from a direct free kick.
Booking
Omar González (USA) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Omar González (USA).
Post update
Trevin Caesar (Trinidad and Tobago) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Benny Feilhaber (USA).
Post update
Joevin Jones (Trinidad and Tobago) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Corner, USA. Conceded by Adrian Foncette.
Post update
Attempt saved. Bobby Wood (USA) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Christian Pulisic with a cross.
Post update
Christian Pulisic (USA) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Joevin Jones (Trinidad and Tobago).
Post update
Attempt saved. Trevin Caesar (Trinidad and Tobago) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Alvin Jones.
Post update
Attempt saved. Jozy Altidore (USA) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is saved in the top right corner.
