Posted on 04/20/2006 9:06:35 PM PDT by onja
HICAGO (April 19, 2006) – A little less than two months before the 2006 FIFA World Cup, the U.S. Men’s National Team received their highest ever position in the FIFA World Rankings, moving up one spot to fourth place. Their record-setting position puts them two spots ahead of CONCACAF rival Mexico and in front of such powerhouses as Argentina, Spain, France and England.
The U.S. jumped ahead of Argentina, who fell from fourth to eighth, allowing the U.S., Spain, Mexico and France to move up one position each. The USA's Group E opponents in this summer’s World Cup in Germany either stayed in the same position or moved down in the rankings. Czech Republic stayed in second place, behind consistent front-runners Brazil, while Italy fell to 14th place, tied with Nigeria. Ghana stayed level at 50th place in the world.
(Excerpt) Read more at ussoccer.com ...
Just thought you might be interested. We're now fourth!
Thanks for the update. Didn't realize they'd moved up this high. Hope they can play up to their ranking in the World Cup. They do have some good players and seem to get better all the time.
w00t!!
In non-national news, I never liked the name MetroStars for the NY/NJ professional soccer team but the bought and paid for "RedBulls" makes me gag.
I'll head up to the Meadowlands to see them anyway. Hopefully keep the sport alive.
BTW, I'm a proud soccer dad and coach!
Thanks for the ping. I hope we play like a 4th ranked team come July.
They've got a tough road in Germany, best hope is to tie Italy and then find a way to beat the Czechs. It won't be easy.
They should have resurrected the Cosmos name, that's sounded like a good name for a soccer team.
From a Fort Lauderdale Strikers fan from the old NASL days.
They must finish first in their group if they want any real chance of advancing past the second round. If they finish second in group play they will almost certainly have to play Brazil in the second round, and that is something that would not end favorably.
The problem as I see it is that the FIFA ranking becomes practically meaningless when Team USA plays in Europe. I would like our chances against both Ghana (we should beat them easily regardless of venue) and even Italy on a neutral site. Czech republic would be a challenge anywhere. But if memory serves, I don't think we have ever won a match against any European opponent playing on European soil. Correct me if I am mistaken. The only hope I see for us is to somehow come out with ties against both Czech and Italy and to beat Ghana, but even that would be a miracle. I'll be shocked if we are able to beat either Czech Rep. or Italy.
I'm guessing we'll do not so great. But still I hope we do the best we can.
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