FIFA screws us a lot as well. Youth soccer in the USA isn't as good as a lot of the top countries but it's better than some of the 3rd world dumps that make a run at every WC.

2014 Costa Rica were Pk's away from at least a 4th place finish and they are the 3rd best team in CONCACAF.

2010 Ghana choked in the quarters or they would have been at least 4th place

2006 had Australia make the KO round during their last run in Oceania.

2002 South Korea was 4th. Turkey finished 3rd.

1998 was when Croatia made a deep run to the semifinal. I cant remember if they were 3rd or 4th. They had only been a nation at all for just a few years.

I'm not saying we are in shape to win this thing but FIFA never does us any favors.

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Posted by crazy4lsu

Member since May 2005

37024 posts

Posted on 7/8/14 at 1:56 pm to LukeSidewalker

quote:
Youth soccer in the USA isn't as good as a lot of the top countries but it's better than some of the 3rd world dumps that make a run at every WC.

The teams you mention all had golden generations or do have better youth systems.

quote:
Costa Rica

Consistently play us well at home and beat us at their place.

quote:
Ghana

Stocked with massive talent who play for the biggest clubs for Europe.

quote:
Australia

Team coached by Gus Hiddink, along with having their golden generation.

quote:
South Korea

Coached by Hiddink, who basically can work miracles with teams.

quote:
Turkey

Turkey also finished 3rd at the 2008 Euros. They aren't as deep as the US, but their best players play at the top level while ours don't.

quote:
Croatia

That Croatia team was really good. Better than any US team ever. Also Croatia consistently produces great players, along with the rest of the Balkans.

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