re: The World has been put on notice

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I think we are still far from a team that will get past the round of 16. In an average group, we should advance with our talent. This year was an accomplishment for sure, but you'd hope that our level of play would get better after playing such good teams. Instead, that may have been the worst game we played this World Cup. If it weren't for Howard carrying the team on his back, that game would have been a blowout.

I saw some improvement since 2010, but still more of the same. Our touch is about as good as a high school team. Defense still has big holes in it and we still lack a goal scorer. So many opportunities are wasted that would be put away most of the time by a good team. Just very little creativity. Bradley played a lot better this game but I'd like someone who is somewhat consistent during the game and from game to game. Maybe he was just uncomfortable in that position, but he made a lot of fundamental mistakes and bad decisions.

I'm proud of the team, but disappointed with the last game. I see potential every 4 years but haven't been impressed the past 3 WCs. It makes it exciting when we win or do well because nobody expects us to. I look forward to the day when people are surprised to see us get knocked out before the quarters.

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