The story of how the USMNT qualified for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar

After a summer that saw the U.S. win both the Gold Cup and Nations League, a young group marched into World Cup qualifying with plenty of confidence.

They talked of a nine-point window, of continuing to ride the momentum built up during a near-perfect summer run.

That didn't happen.

The U.S. were frustrated in their first match of the cycle, a 0-0 draw against a very game El Salvador, as they learned that qualifying wouldn't be as easy as they imagined.

If the stalemate against El Salvador was a humbling one, the draw with Canada a few days later was enough to set off alarm bells.

After two games, the U.S. amassed just two points, with goals from Brenden Aaronson and Cyle Larin cancelling each other out in Nashville. It was a rough start to qualifying and, with 2018 still hanging over everyone's head, it was enough reason for a little bit of panic.

Furthering that panic? The suspension to Weston McKennie, who would be excluded due to violating team Covid protocols.

In hindsight, though, McKennie's situation worked itself out, and this was more about Canada than the U.S., as this was an early sign that the USMNT's northern neighbors would prove to be a major player in this qualifying cycle.

Exhale.

The win in San Pedro Sula got the USMNT right back on track, even if talk of a nine-point window ended with only five.

The U.S. blitzed Honduras away from home, making up for the points dropped against Canada at home, despite going down 1-0 early on.

After half-time the U.S. were unplayable, with Antonee Robinson's 48th minute goal setting the tone for what was to follow.

Rircado Pepi, Brenden Aaronson and Sebastian Lletget joined Robinson on the scoresheet as the USMNT finished the first window on a high.

The Ricardo Pepi game.

The now former FC Dallas star had his coming out party in Austin, scoring twice against Jamaica to all but seal his spot as the No.9 going forward. In front of what was close to a hometown crowd, Pepi did the business, continuing his breakout start to life with the national team.

With eight points from four games, the U.S. were on their way, and they had what looked to be a reliable striker leading the charge.

A match that began talk of the second-game syndrome that would plague the U.S. right until the last window.

The U.S. fell flat in their second game of the window, dropping points for the second time in as many opportunities. A goal from MLS veteran Anibal Godoy was enough to beat the U.S. in what was possibly their worst performance of the qualifying run.

Once again, the USMNT's spiritual home of Columbus held strong as the Americans got back on track after a tough result.

Despite going behind in less than 60 seconds, the U.S. composed themselves and scored in the 25th minute, with Sergino Dest providing the goal.

An own goal in the 66th minute would be all the U.S. needed, sealing a 2-1 win to end the first two windows with a total of 11 points - a respectable haul.

Dos a Cero strikes again from the Men in the Mirror.

After toppling their rivals twice over the summer with trophies on the line, the USMNT got another one up on El Tri with a win in Cincinnati.

And it came via that famous 2-0 scoreline with two late goals from the USMNT's biggest stars.

Christian Pulisic scored in the 74th minute, unveiling the now famous shirt in celebration, with Weston McKennie adding another for good measure in the 85th, sending another emphatic message to Mexico in the process.

A game that will be remembered for THAT goal.

Michail Antonio's absolute wonderstrike doomed a poor USMNT, despite an early goal from Timothy Weah.

The West Ham man's miracle goal was just enough to earn the Reggae Boyz a point against a flat USMNT, who never really mustered much of anything after Antonio's missile hit the back of the net.

At the time, it certainly looked like two points dropped against a Jamaica team that never really found its rhythm in qualifying.

In a match that saw Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams all start together for the first time in three years, it was Antonee Robinson that stole the show.

The full-back netted the USMNT's lone goal, continuing his rise towards becoming the unquestioned starter at left-back. The Fulham defender hasn't come close to relinquishing that role since, but it was this game that all but sealed his spot going forward.

At the time, the U.S. was struggling in the attacking end, having scored just twice in the first half of their nine games, but they still remained on course thanks to Robinson's goal.

If you didn't believe in Canada before, this was the one that made it so.

From the moment Matt Turner's goal kick got hung up in the wind to create the first goal, the U.S. were up against it as Canada took control of the match, and the qualifying cycle, on home turf.

In a rowdy atmosphere in Hamilton, Canada proved that they were for real, while reminding the USMNT that they weren't truly bound for the World Cup just yet.

It was a frustrating day at the office for the U.S. who had chances to level the score, but failed to take them before a late goal put it away for Canada.

You'll start to notice a theme here: the U.S. tended to bounce back after bad performances.

This one was a lopsided win over Honduras in a match that will be remembered for how damn cold it was.

Played in nearly inhumane temperatures in Minnesota, the U.S. cruised to a 3-0 victory that left Honduras livid.

In truth, playing in the freezing temperatures of Minnesota may have been a bit too far when it came to home field advantage but, hey, it worked, as the U.S. won behind goals from Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Walker Zimmerman.

It wasn't the best result of qualifying and it may not have been the best performance, but the draw in Mexico was certainly an important one for the U.S.

Even if the power of the Azteca has waned a bit in recent years, it remains a commanding presence in this region, and the U.S. didn't struggle with it in the slightest.

If not for missed chances from Christian Pulisic and Jordan Pefok, the U.S. would have left with all three points in hand. But those chances were spurned and, ultimately, the U.S. had to settle for one after going toe-to-toe with El Tri.

The game that just about sealed it.

Christian Pulisic played like a man possessed, scoring three goals with two coming from the penalty spot, to lead the U.S. to a lopsided win.

With that victory, the U.S. all but locked up their spot in Qatar, ensuring that Costa Rica would need a miracle to leapfrog them in the last game.

Stylistically, it wasn't quite the USMNT's best game, but it sure was their most emphatic one as they removed all doubt about their status as a World Cup team.

It all ended with a relative thud that, in the grand scheme of things, didn't matter.

The U.S. simply needed to avoid a 6-0 defeat to Costa Rica, and they did just that in what was a fairly disjointed performance.

Given the scenario, the USMNT were, understandably, a bit flat as Los Ticos controlled the game. Featuring a lineup loaded with backups with one eye on a playoff, Costa Rica simply played with more desire and, ultimately, left with the points.

It wasn't enough for them, though, as the U.S. locked up their place in Qatar.