United States books spot to 2022 World Cup in Qatar

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica — The United States men's national soccer team has qualified for the 2022 World Cup, securing its berth to the tournament in Qatar after missing out on the 2018 edition in Russia.

Despite losing 2-0 toCosta Rica on Tuesday, the USMNT managed to secure one of CONCACAF's three automatic berths, along with group winner Canada and rival Mexico.

The U.S. went into Wednesday's game at Estadio Nacional needing only to avoid a loss of six goals or more to punch its ticket.

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The United States finishes the 14-game qualifying cycle with a record of 7 wins, 3 losses and 4 draws for 25 points. That total left the U.S. three points behind Canada and Mexico, and level with Costa Rica, with only a goal differential of +11 ensuring the Americans finished ahead of Tuesday's hosts (+5).

Though the team was inconsistent at times during qualifying, it remained in a strong position throughout the cycle.

«I think it's exactly what we expected, but at times you wish it would have been different,» U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter said Tuesday before the Costa Rica match. «We wish we would have won every single game, but it's not realistic. And I think what it turns out to be is exactly what we expect.

»We expected [qualifying] to be a challenge and expected there to be a lot of ups and downs. A lot of trials and tribulations and we know we have a really young group going through this for the first time. We know how difficult CONCACAF is to qualify."

Although only four players on the current roster were with the team when it missed the 2018 World Cup, the group