The ripple effect of that defeat may be felt off the field for quite some time.

The absence of a US team at the most popular sporting event on the planet will make it difficult for the US Soccer Federation (USSF) to attract new partners. FIFA will be disappointed by the US absence as the American market is among the final great frontiers for the organization.

Fox Sports, which broadcasts next year's World Cup, will also take a major hit with the US defeat, facing the question of "Will Americans still watch if their national team is not there?"

More importantly, whether a World Cup without the participation of a US team can attract new generations of kids to the sport remains to be seen.

The US will not participate in the 2018 World Cup, but as part of a combined bid with Mexico and Canada, the country is likely to host the majority of the 2026 World Cup.

As the bidding process ramps up and FIFA prepares to announce the winner next June in Moscow, the US will use it as an impetus to enhance the sport at all levels after the absence from the world stage for years.

USSF chief Sunil Gulati said: "The most important part of this in many ways is what happens after the World Cup. Have we used the period, the eight and a half years that we'll have before the World Cup, to build the game to take advantage of this spectacular event that will take place in the summer of 2026 and where is the sport after? Have we risen the level of the sport? Is MLS bigger and stronger? Is the quality of play of our national teams better? Is the professional structure under Major League Soccer stronger? Are there more kids playing in a safe environment? And what does it look like the day after the World Cup?"

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