The USMNT's 2-1 loss in Wednesday's Gold Cup semifinal to Jamaica means their hopes of qualifying for the 2017 Confederations Cup in Russia will require a do-or-die playoff match.
As 2013 Gold Cup champions, the USA would have received an automatic berth to the Confederations Cup had they also won the 2015 title. Their semifinal elimination means the Americans will have to face the eventual 2015 champions in a one-game playoff for the CONCACAF region's lone berth in the 2017 Confederations Cup.
Several media outlets are reporting that the playoff will likely take place in the fall.
The Confederations Cup is a tournament held every four years among the reigning regional champions across the world, including the CONCACAF region. It's hosted by the nation that will host the World Cup the following year and it's widely regarded as a World Cup tune-up for the host country as well as for the participating teams.
The last time the USA qualified for the Confederations Cup was in South Africa 2009, when they advanced all the way to the final and even took a 2-0 lead against Brazil before dropping a 3-2 result and finishing in second place.
