USMNT: Ranking the 10 Most Devastating Losses in History

While there have been plenty of bright moments since the USMNT's reemergence in 1990, fans have also endured some tough experiences while following their team. For every Landon Donovan Algeria miracle, there is a 2011 Gold Cup final, creating a roller coaster of a ride for all American fans alike.

While I realize some of these games will be tough to relive, acknowledging them and the pain that comes with them will only make the great games feel better. So buckle up, grab a tissue box and pound your way through this devastating list. 

10. International Friendly Spain 4-0

Just two years after the miracle in Bloemfontein, many still imagined that the USMNT could battle with some of the best in the world.

A Gold Cup warmup with Spain was designed to help earn the USMNT some respect and prepare the squad for their upcoming tournament. It did the opposite. Ninety minutes of chasing the ball and watching Spain in amazement did no more than embarrass the Yanks in front of their home crowd.

So much for earning respect. 

9. 2006 World Cup Czech Republic 3-0

Coming into the tournament ranked fifth in the world, the USMNT was deemed by many as a contender for the world's most prestigious trophy. However, Czech Republic brought the Yanks back to reality with a dominant 3-0 victory in their opening game.

The World Cup for the USMNT had ended as quickly as it had begun.

8. 1994 World Cup Brazil 1-0

Although the expectations for the USMNT were not particularly high, a lot of excitement developed around the team in the 1994 World Cup on home soil.

After beating Colombia and advancing to the knockout stages, the USMNT went up against eventual tournament winner Brazil in the Sweet 16. 

However, a late goal by Bebeto ended the American dream and ceased all hopes for the host country. 

7. 2009 Gold Cup 5-0 Mexico

Granted the 2009 Gold Cup final was far from a fair contest due to the USMNT A-team playing in the Confederations Cup in South Africa. However, losing 5-0 to rivals Mexico in New York certainly was a tough result to swallow.

The crushing defeat was the worst of the new era. Also, Mexico has remained undefeated in the North American rivalry ever since.  

6. 1990 World Cup 5-1 Czechoslovakia

After failing to qualify for the World Cup for 40 years, the USMNT had a tough time adjusting to the global competition in the 1990 World Cup. The US suffered three straight losses, the most embarrassing being a 5-1 loss to Czechoslovakia.

It reassured the nation that the team still had a lot of work to do to become relevant. 

5. 1998 World Cup 2-1 Iran

Ranked 11th in the world heading into the 1998 World Cup, a knockout-stage berth seemed inevitable.

That is why losing to No. 42 Iran right after a tough defeat to Germany seemed like a cruel joke to American fans. The loss is up there as one of the most embarrassing in US history.

All the soccer excitement that had come with the arrival of the MLS immediately began to fade. 

4. 2011 Gold Cup 4-2 Mexico

Was there really a loss more cruel than the USMNT’s failure to hold onto a two-goal lead against arch-rival Mexico this June?

After asserting their dominance for the first 25 minutes, the USMNT looked all but victors thanks to goals from Michael Bradley and Landon Donovan. But El Tri had other plans in mind and used their ridiculous advantage up the right wing against a left-back (who shall not be named!) to get back in the game before halftime.

Mexico rode their advantage into the second half and scored four unanswered goals to take home the Gold Cup title and put an end to the Bob Bradley era.

3. 2010 World Cup 2-1 Ghana ET

The harsh loss to Ghana to eliminate the USMNT from the 2010 World Cup only left fans asking themselves “What if?” to a variety of questions.

What if Benny Feilhaber had gotten the start over bad-form Ricardo Clark whose first-half turnover led to Ghana’s opening goal? What if the USMNT had tested Kingson more often with their shots and not let 14 attempts miss the target completely? What if the USMNT had beaten Ghana and went head to head with Uruguay in the quarterfinals?

With all these questions on the table, the loss couldn’t help but sting for a while after.

2. 2009 Confederations Cup 3-2 Brazil

Heartbreaking. It was another game that the USMNT looked to be in complete control of before a poor second half led to the eventual defeat.

The Yanks rode Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan to a two-nil lead before altitude and fate caught up to the Cinderella team.

Goliath silenced the USMNT’s first chance at a global trophy and the team has never been the same since. The near taste of global respect still haunts players and fans today.

1. 2002 World Cup- 1-0 Germany

Injustice seemed like the only word that could come to mind after Germany escaped the inspired USMNT in the 2002 World Cup.

After a Michael Ballack goal in the 39^th minute, the Yanks had thought they had tied it up 11 minutes later before Torsten Frings handled the ball on the line. Play went on, the USMNT kept pushing but the bigger Germans prevailed.

That devastating loss will forever be remembered as one of the toughest in USMNT history.

Thanks for reading!