The match was revenge of a sort for the island nation, which was infamously eliminated from the 1990 World Cup in November 1989 thanks to a defeat by the United States. That victory brought an end to a 36-year drought — America had last qualified for the 1940 World Cup.
The United States went on to qualify for every subsequent World Cup, (it hosted the event in 1994), and though it never came close to winning, it did at least get to play. This time out, the team was by all accounts playing very poorly, and couldn’t match up to Trinidad and Tobago.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup is being held in Russia from June 14 to July 15.
American soccer fans were understandably dejected and Twitter was awash in lamentations and bitter jokes.
Yep. 340,000 people. Like the population of metro Toledo. But Iceland has a coach with a clear and direct philosophy and tactics to match. #USMNT never looks comfortable.
But as other fans noted, all is not lost. The United States does in fact have a world championship level soccer team — the women’s national soccer team, with one of the best players in the world (Megan Rapinoe) on it — which, unfortunately, is being paid much less than the perennially-losing men’s team.
#USMNT can’t qualify for the World Cup, but #USWNT is able to win three World Cups (‘91, ‘99, ‘15) and can’t even get close to equal pay. ????????
???????? Meanwhile the #USWNT are getting underpaid while these clowns can't even deal with CONCACAF competition! EQUAL PAY DAMN IT! #USMNTpic.twitter.com/b9VrrTt5aj
15 Coolest Things About the Upcoming LA Rams and Chargers Stadium (Photos)
Football is finally back in Los Angeles, with the Rams and Chargers set to ensure that their upcoming $2.6 billion stadium has all the Hollywood glamour and VIP amenities that you'd expect for A-list clientele along, with the football necessities for die-hard NFL fans. TheWrap recently got a sneak peek at the L.A. Stadium and Entertainment District -- check out the coolest aspects.
LA Stadium Entertainment District
The 70,000-seat open air stadium is expandable up to 100,000 seats -- and aside to hosting regular season NFL games -- it's also destined to be home to the 2028 Olympics, future Super Bowls, college football national championship games, the NCAA Final Four, X Games and a multitude of other sporting events. It is set to open in 2020, with the Rams playing at the L.A. Coliseum and the Chargers at StubHub Center in the meantime.
LA Stadium Entertainment District
Fully funded by the real-estate fortune of Rams owner Stan Kroenke, the two L.A. teams (one of which is NFC and the other AFC) will split their time at the new stadium with 10 home games for each team per regular season (not accounting for playoffs or potential Super Bowls). Currently, all aspects of the entertainment district's model center in Playa Vista pays equal homage to both teams.
Hiro Ueno
While its Compton neighbor is more famous, Inglewood is steeped also in history -- all of which will be celebrated at its latest addition. Renowned for the former Hollywood Park Racetrack, it is also home to the Forum, where both the L.A. Lakers and Kings played from 1967-99.
Debbie Emery
Reminiscent of the waves pounding the nearby beaches, the stadium roof curves in a perfect wave of transparent ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) covering the playing field, seating bowl, Champions Plaza and performance venue.
LA Stadium Entertainment District
While it doesn't rain often in L.A., when that mysterious wet stuff falls from the sky it often does so with a vengeance. That's why the sail-shaped roof will be strong but clear to allow in natural light but ward off bad weather. The design is also open on the sides to allow breezes to flow through the building.
LA Stadium Entertainment District
The two 160 by 72 feet video screens at Cowboys' AT&T stadium have been vowing fans since 2009, but they ain't seen nothing yet. The L.A. stadium will boast an oval shaped, dual-sided Oculus video board with over 60,000 linear feet of digital display -- so there literally won't be a bad seat in the house.
LA Stadium Entertainment District
With a site that's 3½ times the size of Disneyland, there's plenty of room for retail space, restaurants, a 6,000-seat performance venue attached to the stadium aiming to attract the music industry's biggest talents, a five-star hotel, residential apartments -- and even a lake.
LA Stadium Entertainment District
Whether it's fantasy football fanatics wanting to follow every game stat, or corporations showcasing their company message, the 52-screens throughout the stadium mean that not a single play or deal will be missed.
Hiro Ueno
While they'll be plenty of personalized options for the suite experiences, guests can expect gourmet food, high-end drinks (including wines from Kroenke's vineyard, but probably not the 1992 Screaming Eagle, which goes for $7,000 ... a bottle) and a bird's eye view of the field. Most suites will also have private bathrooms, to maintain the privacy of A-list guests, plus VIP parking options.
LA Stadium Entertainment District
The entry to the club area will have a more open plan layout, so fans can mingle, meet up, and freak out if a game is coming down to the wire.
LA Stadium Entertainment District
The entire stadium is built indented into the ground so that it doesn't interfere with the flight path at LAX (which is three miles away) or interrupt the horizon. A secondary radar system will also be installed at LAX to eliminate the risk of any impact on air traffic. That proximity to the airport will make it easy to pop in for games -- whether flying coach or on a corporate jet.
LA Stadium Entertainment District
You can't be in L.A. and not have a patio, so there'll be plenty of outdoor areas aside from on the field to enjoy the California sun all-year round (this is anti-thesis of "football weather" experienced by most cities).
LA Stadium Entertainment District
While the opening of the stadium is still three years away, the L.A. Stadium Premiere Center in nearby Playa Vista shows potential season ticket or suite buyers exactly what to expect through an Emmy-worthy introduction video, a 30 by 40 foot model replica, and digital displays. You sign a deal right there -- and then celebrate at the in-house bar.
Jeff Lewis
Visitors at the Premiere Center can test-drive the luxury suites, pick their must-have amenities -- and even try out the leather seats for size.
Hiro Ueno
The sleek design of the Premiere Center mirrors that of the eventual stadium, while the integrated technology allows the space to evolve as new elements are developed.
Hiro Ueno
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Are you ready for a lot of football, Los Angeles?
Football is finally back in Los Angeles, with the Rams and Chargers set to ensure that their upcoming $2.6 billion stadium has all the Hollywood glamour and VIP amenities that you'd expect for A-list clientele along, with the football necessities for die-hard NFL fans. TheWrap recently got a sneak peek at the L.A. Stadium and Entertainment District -- check out the coolest aspects.