How bad is the U.S. team going to perform in this years World Cup?
358164
The US will not perform badly this year...and they have not reason to perform in any less a level than past. The question is will they have the drive, pride and the unity necessary to win not just at matches, but in people's hearts.  Every country has potentially talented footbaool players, but the US has the advantage of superior facitlites, advisement etc available to them. Now its a matter of understanding the passion behind the game and bringing that into their matches. For the rest of the world it is not just a game to be won and have the title of 2006 World Cup Winner. Its also the passion behind the team and their supporters to represent their country, strive to win, show their skill, commitment, comradery and still hang their head high at the end of the day for having tried, represented and united their supporters/country. Nothing in the world brings a greater mass of people together worldwide than the sport of  football. No one want a champion who's sole goal is to add another win/medal to their list.......there has got to be more to it....
1076746
the us team is pretty much a disgrace and i must agree with you that i am embarassed too. but i wasn't all that shocked by how poorly they have played... the us doesn't have a strong enough soccer program to have a good national team. so instead i'm cheering for germany since i'm german.
446887
I think they are in a very difficult group, but definitely The USA has a chance of getting in the last 8 or 4 if they can overcome the first round, but hopefully for the they don't have to face Brazil early in the next round like they did in 1994. But who knows The USA can be the big surprise of this world cup.
578288
Anytime Brasil loses in WC football, it is the worst defeat that they have ever suffered.  Therefor, by definition, the last time they lost was their worst WC defeat in their history.  The next time they lose (in this year's quarter finals to the USA), it will be the worst defeat in their storied WC history.
1050812
i seriously hope not ..  the rest of the world including me don't want them back... they can stick to making corny ads with inspirational music where they act cool and powerful... \neveryone knows the US sucks at football.. and  yes, its football .. not soccer you dumbasses
357914
I think he meant the semifinals.  The US did make it last time 'round, but then again so did Senegal, Turkey and South Korea.  I personally do not think they will pass the first round this time.  The team is getting a little boastful because of their strong showing in '02, and it shows in the media and the fans.  Facing extremely strong teams such as Italy, Czech Republic and even Ghana (watch out for them US fans, they are stronger than many think) in round one, it will take a very strong tournament for them to make it to the Round of 16.  Plus I don't think teams will underestimate them again (Mexico's big mistake in 2002).  All things being equal, if all four teams play strong this year, US will be 3rd maybe even 4th, with many draws and close games, but I think the US doesn't have the skill to play tight games with strong teams as of now.\n\nAs for the round of 4, they might make it in the next decade.  It doesn't mean the US are a bad team, just not the top four in the world.  (Coca Cola/ FIFA rankings don't mean anything, its a wacky system that few take seriously)
362806
Well for starters, the US (as stated before) played HOME MATCHES against teams like Panama, Jamaica, the Bahamas, etc.  So its easy picken's for them.  Just look at their pathetic 1-0 win over Poland in germany (which i was at) and the terrible 1-1 draw AT Scotland.  They cannot play away a/g top Euro competition.  They get points from home games versus easy regional teams, thats it.  Its the FIFA system thats flawed.  They WILL NOT have a good world cup, i guarantee it, they should be ranked 15 at best.\n\nAnd by the way, the MLS doesnt "suck", its only 10 years old, give it some time.
1108919
Actually what they played yesterday against the Czech Rep.was SOCCER !!! If they learned a little more about FOOTBALL maybe they would n't have been thumped by a weakened (through injury) Czech team.They didn't even have leading goal scorer Milan Baros and had to rely on midfield scoring from new Arsenal man Rosicky and a half fit Koller who had to leave injured.You Americans talk a lot of crap and thats what you are playing right now.Typical American performance all talk,hype and glitz but no substance.You ain't going home ranked 5th in the World now you have to play real teams!!!Obviously from the responses ignorance is bliss...wander along in your happy little soccer world you can have your own soccer World cup like the Super bowl,or World series where you are the only country represented...how ignomanical...at least you'll always be number one in your soccer cup playing against giants of football like Canada,Barbados,Trinidad,Barbados and Costa Rica! If you think things are going to get better...think again you play Italy next...0-2 and you'll be lucky to tie Ghana next...0-3 or 0-1-2 at best...at least you'll be home by Sunday just in time to catch the last day of the U.S. open because thats what you'll be doing back home next week GOLFING !!!
990839
Yes the Us are really that behind in word soccer don't read anything into being ranked fifth in the world no world class players and no tactical knowledge sorry not trying to offend but that team needs a new manager and a new approach to the game
1077384
I don't think they've been performing to near their best this world cup... Beasley's not himself, nor is Landon Donovan... Reyna wasn't in his short stint in the game today, either... Plus, the ref is an idiot in the US vs. Ghana game... so I think they can do A LOT better than what the scores reflect.
468742
Kasey Keller will have to lead the team from his goal crease.  He has been in form and hopefully he will play as well if not better than Brad Friedel did in Korea in 2002.\n\nAlso, the US needs Claudio Reyna to be healthy, there's lots of reasons why he is the USA's captain.
931840
Future is looking good and bright. The team has reched its lowest that it can not go any further down from here. Hence, it can look forward to a better performance from here on. If you remember even prior to start of  the last world cup, we were at the lowest and in our first few matches against low placed teams like Holland we won with difficulty, but after that we reached the finals and lost.\n\nHence, its good that we have not peaked at the wrong time, but we should now start gethering momentum to peak at world cup. Hopefully, by that time we will have few changes in our team for better.
318894
They'll be lucky to get past the first round. Czech Republic has a strong team and Italy is out of the question. After watching the Germany game, I don't think they'll do well. The Us needs to stop playing friendlies against such weak opponents. All that does is raise false confidence.
1064027
I fear, not a lot.  This isn't the best Italian team they have ever had but I think enough to push the Italians through.     With ease ?  NO WAY... the Americans will give them hell... and with a bit of luck they cjould even win !!!
628515
I think they have a better team this go around at the World Cup.  The only thing is that they are going to have a hard time getting out of their group.  At the last World Cup they didn't have as tough of a group, and that helped them progress further.  I think the experience that the team got from the last Cup will help them to get out of the group stage and they will be able to make it to the quarters.
371116
Though the Americans are better then people might think, I can't see them going far. Although the yanks are ranked in the top 5, they drew a killer group. They have to win the group because if they finish second, they most likely will meet Brazil in the second round. They'll play fine but probably won't go passed the second round.
1134484
after the US's gr8 showing in the last world cup (knocked out by germany in the quarters, possibly due to a dodgy handballed german goal), I'm suprised it hasn't taken off more than it has.\n\nI think it's a case of what you grow up with. From what I gather, it's only recently that US tv has started to provide decent coverage of soccer - until now all americans have had is all american sports like american football & baseball.\n\nI think it will take off pretty soon if the US team can maintain or improve their form. You've drawn a tricky group this year, but if you can get through that, I wouldn't be suprised to see you make the semifinals - and the US become as football crazy as England! \n\nBest of luck!\n\nEDIT: Can I just take this opportunity to call the previous respondent (badal) an idiot! If the US didn't make the top 32, how come they're still in the tourney?