The U.S. entered the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament with high expectations. But it’s going home empty-handed after Jaime Alas’ goal in stoppage time lifted El Salvador to a 3-3 tie in the final game of group play Monday in Nashville, Tenn., ending the Americans’ Olympic soccer dreams.
The U.S. was about a minute shy of the victory it needed to advance to the tournament semifinals as the winner of its group when Alas charged up the center of the American defense and uncorked a blast from 25 yards out that bounced once before eluding backup U.S. keeper Sean Johnson, who got a hand on the shot but couldn’t stop it.
That not only knocked the U.S. out of the tournament but it changed El Salvador’s fortunes, too, with the Central Americans leaping from elimination to the top of the Group A standings ahead of Canada, which tied Cuba 1-1 in Monday’s first game and advances as the group runner-up.
Full story: U.S. soccer team fails to qualify for Olympics