With a spot in Qatar now secured, GOAL looks back at the team's road to the World Cup
The U.S. men's national team is headed back to the World Cup.
After eight years away, the U.S. are returning to the world's biggest tournament as they sealed their spot in Qatar after a gruelling 14-game run through CONCACAF.
It was a slog that had several highs and a few notable lows as a young U.S. team learned some of the harsh realities about World Cup qualifying in North America.
When all was said and done, though, the U.S. booked their spot in Qatar, putting to rest any lingering pessimism from that failed 2018 cycle.
Here's a look back at how the USMNT navigated their way back to the World Cup…
GettyEl Salvador 0-0 USMNT (September 2)
After a summer that saw the U.S. win both the Gold Cup and Nations League, a young group marched into World Cup qualifying with plenty of confidence.
They talked of a nine-point window, of continuing to ride the momentum built up during a near-perfect summer run.
That didn't happen.
The U.S. were frustrated in their first match of the cycle, a 0-0 draw against a very game El Salvador, as they learned that qualifying wouldn't be as easy as they imagined.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesUSMNT 1-1 Canada (September 5)
If the stalemate against El Salvador was a humbling one, the draw with Canada a few days later was enough to set off alarm bells.
After two games, the U.S. amassed just two points, with goals from Brenden Aaronson and Cyle Larin cancelling each other out in Nashville. It was a rough start to qualifying and, with 2018 still hanging over everyone's head, it was enough reason for a little bit of panic.
Furthering that panic? The suspension to Weston McKennie, who would be excluded due to violating team Covid protocols.
In hindsight, though, McKennie's situation worked itself out, and this was more about Canada than the U.S., as this was an early sign that the USMNT's northern neighbors would prove to be a major player in this qualifying cycle.
GettyHonduras 1-4 USMNT (September 8)
Exhale.
The win in San Pedro Sula got the USMNT right back on track, even if talk of a nine-point window ended with only five.
The U.S. blitzed Honduras away from home, making up for the points dropped against Canada at home, despite going down 1-0 early on.
After half-time the U.S. were unplayable, with Antonee Robinson's 48th minute goal setting the tone for what was to follow.
Rircado Pepi, Brenden Aaronson and Sebastian Lletget joined Robinson on the scoresheet as the USMNT finished the first window on a high.
Getty ImagesUSMNT 2-0 Jamaica (October 7)
The Ricardo Pepi game.
The now former FC Dallas star had his coming out party in Austin, scoring twice against Jamaica to all but seal his spot as the No.9 going forward. In front of what was close to a hometown crowd, Pepi did the business, continuing his breakout start to life with the national team.
With eight points from four games, the U.S. were on their way, and they had what looked to be a reliable striker leading the charge.