How 'Bout That USA?

[TexasTerror]

This is a record high for the Americans in terms of ranking and we're even higher than France, England, Portugal and Spain. How great is that? The US is continuing to develop young talent and I think the Americans could push for a semifinal berth in the World Cup final in Germany. They just need to get a good draw and peak at the right time.

Well, with Mexico falling to Columbia, if the USA gets past Honduras tonight, I think the Americans should win the CONCACAF Gold Cup. I'll be watching at 5 PM CST/6 PM EST. And with Americans moving up in cycling, we're just all over these sports that we probably have never had any business being good in!
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ZURICH, Switzerland -- The United States improved to No. 6 in FIFA's rankings Wednesday, the Americans' best showing in the monthly ratings by soccer's governing body.

The Americans, who will play in this week's CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinals, had never been ranked higher than seventh. They were 10th last month, but passed France, England, Portugal and Spain to move within one spot and three points of rival Mexico.

World Cup champion Brazil remained No. 1, and Argentina improved one spot to second. The Netherlands was third, and the Czech Republic dropped from second to fourth.

France fell two spots to seventh, and England, Spain and Portugal rounded out the top 10. Germany moved from 21st to 11th, the biggest improvement of any nation in the top 20.

The United States will play Honduras in the Gold Cup semifinals Thursday night in East Rutherford, N.J.

[eaglefan452]

I grew up playing soccer and following it on a world stage, and this is a great thing for American soccer. I don't think that it ever has a chance to catch on here like some people want, but with some time, it can be one of the top 6 or 7 sports in the U.S.

[Fordham]

good deal. In college I was always whining about all the little sissies we were raising when I'd go back to my hometown and see all the kids playing soccer. Now that I have 2 boys, though, I'm realizing it's a great sport for them, particularly to keep them in shape. Plus, the first time I watched the frenzy that is the World Cup, I was hooked.

It'll be interesting to see if Freddie Adu can ever develop into the player that can match the expectations of him. Also interesting if he can ever become that player without leaving MLS and going overseas to develop at some point soon.

[TexasTerror]

I'm really not into the clubs (MLS, Premier League, etc). I do get into the national games as I think the best players in the world all play in these games (especially WCQ and the WC itself). CONCACAF Gold Cup does not have the best, but it's a premier competition that the US has no reason not to win. I think a win here would mean the US would play in the Confederations Cup in two years, seeing as this is the championship for the CONCACAF region.

[TheValleyRaider]

While it is a championship, as far as I'm concerned the Gold Cup pales in comparison to the only one that matters: the World Cup. I played soccer growing up, got hooked big time during the '94 World Cup, suffered in '98, and was up early each morning for their run in Korea.

Right now the US sits in 2nd place in their CONCACAF qualifying group behind regional rival Mexico (this is a real rivalry). Top 3 make it to Germany. The stakes will be high considering the US was oh so close to the semifinals in 2002 and probably should have won that Quarterfinal game.

[BlackSaturday]

I am suprised we moved up. We've been winning vs weaker competition and our 2 latest opportunities to beat a solid team we lost (vs Mexico at Azteca and vs essentially England's JV team in Chicago).

[TexasTerror]

TWO goals in the last five, six minutes of play! Down by one and they pulled it out!

USA! USA! USA!

[blur2005]

Yeah, we are definitely overrated right now. I mean, 6th? We were 10th, and we probably should've stayed there. I mean, I hope I'm wrong, but I've watched our games, and beating Honduras in the last few minutes is NOT a sign of great strength, especially when the game is in the United States. Most European powers would win 4-0 or something like that over a team like Honduras, so I'm skeptical of the high ranking we have received. I do think, however, that Kasey Keller is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. And the U.S. has a thing with going far based on having a great keeper...see: Brad Freidel.

[Tribefan]

I think we are overrated, but this ranking gets US Soccer in the headlines and that's good for the sport.

The best time I ever had at a sporting event was during the World Cup in 2002. I was stationed in Korea and I had a cool boss who let my friends and I attend all of the US games.

I'll never forget the looks on the faces of the Korean and Portuguese fans the night we beat Portugal. It was absolutely priceless. After being a lifelong football fan who used to make derisive comments about soccer, my viewpoint was changed. There really is not much in sport that is more intense than a World Cup soccer game.

[Fordham]

that must've been awesome Tribefan. I made similar comments up above about my attitude towards the sport up through college but have turned around completely after getting hooked by just watching the WC ... can't imagine having actually attended.

[Tribefan]

I played soccer through my sophomore year in high school until I switched to football, I always thought it was fun to play and not so much fun to watch. All along I just haven't been watching the right games.

World Cup 2002, was a great experience. It was interesting to see the international reaction to the US success on the field. Many thought it was great, others don't like the fact that the US wants to be the best at everything.

I'm still pissed at the Germany game. We should have been awarded a penalty kick. The ball DID hit that guy's arm, I saw it with my own eyes as I was right behind the goal.

I went to some great games, I got to see Brazil play. I saw Zidane play for France against Denmark.

[blur2005]

[QUOTE=Tribefan]
I'm still pissed at the Germany game. We should have been awarded a penalty kick. The ball DID hit that guy's arm, I saw it with my own eyes as I was right behind the goal.
[QUOTE]
I was furious when that happened and there was no PK awarded. Man, I'm still really bitter about that.

[blur2005]

I'm still pissed at the Germany game. We should have been awarded a penalty kick. The ball DID hit that guy's arm, I saw it with my own eyes as I was right behind the goal.
I was furious when that happened and there was no PK awarded. Man, I'm still really bitter about that.