[DC 86]

Italy (a four time World Cup champion) not qualifying is brutal, and obviously a much bigger story than the U.S. not qualifying.

However, it's not an apples to apples comparison in that European qualifying is exponentially tougher than North/Central American qualifying. Italy was in the same group as Spain in the previous round where only one team qualifies automatically; they finished second and thus had the tough home/away set against a solid Sweden team.

Meanwhile the U.S. finished 5th in its six-team group behind Panama and Honduras, needing only to tie Trinidad and Tobago in the final match to qualify automatically, and inexcusably laid an egg.

[DC 86]

Italy (a four time World Cup champion) not qualifying is brutal, and obviously a much bigger story than the U.S. not qualifying.

However, it's not an apples to apples comparison in that European qualifying is exponentially tougher than North/Central American qualifying. Italy was in the same group as Spain in the previous round where only one team qualifies automatically; they finished second and thus had the tough home/away set against a solid Sweden team.

Meanwhile the U.S. finished 5th in its six-team group behind Panama and Honduras, needing only to tie Trinidad and Tobago in the final match to qualify automatically, and inexcusably laid an egg.