After the U.S. Men’s National Soccer team (USMNT) failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, many students were left upset, angry, and embarrassed from the team’s defeat.

The team faced a 2-1 loss against Trinidad and Tobago on October 10th in the fifth round of the World Cup qualifiers, making it the first time they have not qualified for the tournament since 1986. Many thought the United States displayed a poor performance against their competitors during the game, who had lost eight of their last nine matches.

“Honestly, I’m disappointed and disgusted,” said sophomore Ben Kressaty, who plays soccer at Hills.

A large factor of the USMNT has been Christian Pulisic, the 19-year-old midfielder who scored the only goal for the U.S. against Trinidad and Tobago. Pulisic also plays for Borussia Dortmund, a German team, and is liked among fans in the U.S.

“I feel bad for Christian Pulisic because he’s the only one that deserved [to win.]” said Emma Lombardi, a junior who enjoys playing and watching soccer.

“He is our only hope,” said Ben Kressaty who supports Pulisic as well.

“I don’t think we have a good future,” said sophomore Lia Cardinale on the team’s chances for future success.

“It’s a very saddening loss, but they can’t get too down on themselves. It will force them to reassess how they practice and what they did wrong,” said sophomore Afi Ibragimov.

Although she is not a passionate soccer fan, she is trying to approach the defeat from a different perspective.

Whether there is any remaining hope for the USMNT or not, they are no longer contenders for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.