Well, it happened. The U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team, which had used up eight of its nine lives already in this World Cup qualifying cycle, lost 2-1 to Trinidad & Tobago, which coupled with other results from the CONCACAF region, means the Americans will miss out on Russia 2018. It’s the first World Cup without the United States since 1986.

Even more frustrating about the outcome is the fact that after everything they’ve been through over the last 11 months, the Americans still controlled their fate entering Tuesday’s match. A win would’ve guaranteed a trip to Russia next summer; with the US having a superior goal difference to Panama and Honduras, a draw would’ve been enough, too. For the US to miss out, that scenario required a loss AND a Panama win AND a Honduras win.

Yet all three outcomes occurred, and here we are.

What’s most difficult to accept is the way Tuesday’s game unfolded; the USMNT knew they had everything to gain and everything to lose, yet began lethargically. Omar Gonzalez’s own goal seemed to be an omen of things to come, yet credit must be given to Alvin Jones on the Trinidadians’ second goal; had it been Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi, how many fans would be campaigning for it to win the Puskas Award as the best goal of the year? The Americans did have a pulse in the second half, getting one goal back through Christian Pulisic, followed by two chances late – one denied by the post, the other saved by Adrian Foncette. Again, even with the other results, a tie would have been enough. But it’s a loss, and the questions surrounding the future are ever-present.

What does this say about the legacy of Bruce Arena? He’ll always be remembered for leading the USMNT to the 2002 quarterfinals, but he had one simple job when he returned last year, and he has now failed to deliver.

The responsibility is also on the players, as they will have to spend next summer knowing they won’t compete in the most-watched sporting event on the planet. Tim Howard, Clint Dempsey, DaMarcus Beasley, and other veterans are already in the twilight of their playing days; was this their last qualifying cycle, and is this how their national careers end?

One thing is for sure: it’s going to be a long summer for US Soccer, and the 2022 qualifying cycle cannot begin enough.