I fear we may have built up the CONCACAF road challenges narrative so much that it is becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. It seems to now be a convenient crutch, or worse, an excuse to justify a poor performance. Yes, the unique CONCACAF qualifying environment is still difficult…but not as difficult. The #USMNT flies charter, brings their chef, new/improved stadiums, fields are better, refereeing better, laws of the game have changed, etc. It’s challenging, but it can’t be a crutch.