The U.S. men's national team haven't quite booked their spot at the World Cup, despite a banner unveiled after Sunday's 5-1 win over Panama saying otherwise.
Following the match in Orlando, the error was quickly noticed and the banner put away.
The U.S. were unable to qualify immediately due to Costa Rica's win over El Salvador, but only a historic loss against Los Ticos on Wednesday will prevent them from sealing a spot in Qatar.
What was said?
"We made a big step towards our goal of qualifying for the World Cup," head coach Gregg Berhalter said. "We know we're not there yet despite what that banner might have said.
"We know we still have a game to go and it's a difficult game in Costa Rica so our job right now is to recover, do regeneration and then get healthy guys, fit guys, on the field and go compete in San Jose, where we've never won before."
“The guys didn't know at all what it said. It was just handed to them,” Christian Pulisic told MLSScoccer.com. "So once we realized, it's just, there's no need to show that off because we still have a job to do. We know that.”
Could the US fail to qualify?
The U.S. will book their ticket to Qatar with a win or draw in Costa Rica, while goal difference also gives them a massive cushion even if they do lose.
Berhalter's side will head into the match with a massive edge, with Costa Rica required to win by at least six goals to leapfrog the USMNT for third spot.
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