USA in new FIFA rankings

Czar Jake · 07-20-2005, 03:08 PM

USA has moved up to #6, behind only Brazil, Argentina, Netherlands, Czech, and Mexico.

The rankings are an interesting barometer, but as has been stated many times are not really accurate, I would say. For example, Italy is ranked #11 or something, but of the two countries I cheer for, I would be much less shocked to see Italy win the next World Cup than the United States.

Anyway, good job USA and keep up the good work.

:banMacara

Aerick · 07-20-2005, 03:16 PM

Now we just have to put it on the pitch next summer to make the rest of the world believe the ranking.

Thow · 07-20-2005, 05:41 PM

I remember when the U.S. cracked the top-ten a couple years ago I thought it was an impressive accomplishment.

The ratings system does give you a general bell-weather estimate of where certain teams stack up, but overall the thing is simply a joke. As much as I like the U.S., can anyone honestly tell me that they'd take the Americans over teams like Spain, Portugal, Italy, etc., who are all ranked below No. 6?

Didn't think so.

Btw, here is the complete list:

FIFA world rankings

SoccerPrime · 07-21-2005, 05:26 AM

The big question is, if the US wins the Gold Cup (can you doubt them?), will the US pass big brother Mexico?
Inquiring minds want to know.

rabble-rabble · 07-21-2005, 09:00 AM

Have to admit that I have to agree that US is over-ranked. We couldn't beat England's second string on our home soil just a short while ago.

huntingfool12 · 07-21-2005, 09:08 AM

We had many chances to tie that game, and we didn't have all or are first team out on the pitch for that game. USA is a great team and at the world cup next year they will prove it. I think they will atleast make it to the sem-finals. People just cant admit that the USA is becoming a power house in soccer... not even some USA fans can admit that... how sad is that... okay go ahead and rip on me for believing in USA.

rabble-rabble · 07-21-2005, 09:49 AM

Not ripping on anyone at all. I just think there are a lot of very good teams ranked below the US that would present us a strong challenge on the pitch.

It is amazing how far the sport has grown in this country. I've followed soccer for a long time going back to the 70s when the US once was eliminated in WCQ by Haiti in non-televised matches and you had to go to the Salt Palace to see the World Cup final in 1978 on closed circuit TV. I guess all those years of being a Ute fan though the 70s and 80s have left me a bit of a doubter, (but I never stopped attending the games). Hopefully we'll see the US make a deep run in the WC in 2006.

GO USA!!

:banjump2: :banjump2:

Thow · 07-21-2005, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by huntingfool12

We had many chances to tie that game, and we didn't have all or are first team out on the pitch for that game. USA is a great team and at the world cup next year they will prove it. I think they will atleast make it to the sem-finals. People just cant admit that the USA is becoming a power house in soccer... not even some USA fans can admit that... how sad is that... okay go ahead and rip on me for believing in USA.

The U.S. did have lots of chances to at least garner a point out of that match, and that the English really scored both goals against the run-of-play.
However, at the end of the day, it was basically our second team againat their third team. Would the Americans have had a very good chance against England if it featured two full-strength teams? Absolutly...I just don't think from top-to-bottom the U.S. is as good right now as teams like England, Spain, Portugal, etc. We do have a fairly deep squad, but think about how many world-class players we've got? Maybe one (Donovan). And how many top-draw players does someone like England have? Several (Rio Ferdinand, Sol Campbell, Beckham, still can cross a great ball, Rooney, Lampard, Gerrard, etc.)

As far as the U.S. will fare in the next World Cup, unless you're Brazil, it's virtually impossible to handicap how well your country will do. That's what makes the World Cup so fun to watch. In 2002, the U.S. did make a great run into the quarterfinals and basically outplayed Germany. However, we were also very lucky to get into the second round as we needed a second-half goal from Korea to push us pas the group stages. Portugal shaved the post with just minutes remaining, and a couple inches were the difference between unprecedented success in the World Cup and going out in the first round.

Aerick · 07-21-2005, 10:05 AM

Which is why we play the games. 🙂

Thow · 07-21-2005, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aerick

Which is why we play the games. 🙂

Thanks Herm Edwards! 🙂 "We play to WIN the games."

(Or in Real's case, "We'll gladly play for merely a point on the road.")