Why in gods name did FIFA rank the U.S 4th in the world???
409269
probably to suck up to get sponsorship from them. they should be somewhere down the bottom of that list.
322052
That's a nice idea, but I find it hard to believe considering there are like 20 better teams in the cup.  Italy's a team that once was.  A fading world power.  In the last FIFA rankings, they came up at number 14.  They must face the number 2 Czech Republic, the number 4 U.S. squad, and if they survive that, they could face the number one team in the world  Brazil!  Italy to win the cup is highly unlikely.  I would stick with Brazil!
1065717
Czech is ranked #2 in the world and Ghana #48.\nExcept for Ghanaians, who support based on country loyalty and not actual hope of a win, I don't think anyone expected this.\n\nI don't want to predict the US score against this team. The US has made major changes to the team that played against Czech Rep. Let's see how they perform against Italy first!
455256
because it isn't a sport americans play as kids. at least not traditionally.\nbeing british i grew up with soccer and cricket. i hate baseball and basketball. the opposite is true for americans. no one is right or wrong, its just what you know.\n\nTo oran who posted a few below, america is ranked 5th in the world but you have to take into account that ranking is calculated by the teams they play (especially world cup qualifing). european teams play each other so teams like italy, spain, portugal, france, england all potential world cup winning teams have a difficult time ranking because there is no one great team. they are all fairly even. North American teams play each other, so the US plays teams like Canada, St Lucia, Kitts, Dominica etc. most of these teams are small islands whose main sport is cricket. Several of these countries only have part time players. It is widely regarded that the US is not the 5th best team and that the FIFA ranking system is  inherently wrong.
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 !!!
1054163
because the FIFA council was created, headquartered, and run mostly by Europeans\n\n... it's like the UN saying that they represent the world when in reality they have to turn to the USA to get anything done
454423
Quite honestly, lack of success against upper-echelon international teams. The U.S. may be ranked #5 in the world according to FIFA, but that does not mean they are the fifth-best team. They need to prove, from a psychological standpoint, that they have the talent and the desire to compete against teams like Brazil, England, Argentina and Holland in top-level international football.\n\nThe lack of experience by American players in top-level international football hurts them the most. The U.S. is beginning to send more and more players into the Bundesliga, the Premiereship, Serie A, and other top-flight leagues, but there are still too many career MLSers on the squad.
334597
Because the FIFA ranking system is seriously flawed. They rank, based on how a team does in it's respective order or group. The USA has to play against all crappy teams in Central America including Honduras and Guatemala. Both countries have small populations and therefore have a limited source of soccer players. USA should be in the 30's and the Czech republic in the lower teens.
1107556
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elo_football_rating This site contains a more accurate world ranking based on a sound mathematical system that takes into account that the euro championships are only played every 4 years hence all European teams play less rank qualifying matches than other teams. If you ask most people in Europe where they would rank the US in the Worlds top 20 teams,most would laugh in your face before saying that the US isn't in the top 20...
336810
Because the site was set up in the US and they have no idea on what is important with football.....I mean hell......they even call the game soccer!!!
1054672
Simple. USA's status has been over-rated for a few years. Last World Cup, the players from the bigger domestic leagues suffered as they had less of a break compared to players from countries such as USA and South Korea (I commend these countries for being smart enough to realise this). This has been rectified this time, with FIFA imposing a compulsory break for all major leagues.\n\nNot to discount their effort 4 years ago completely, as they did play well and they did beat Portugal and Mexico (both top teams). I believe they also peaked during that tournament, and good players such as Brad Friedel, have since retired.\n\nFurthermore, they played one of the best teams in the world. Czech Republic is ranked 2 in the world (although I do not agree entirely with the ranking system) and they are, in my opinion, favourites to win the group ahead of Italy.\n\nI feel, to be a good team, USA should have more of their players play in the top European leagues, where you have a better consistant competition, better coaching (although Bruce Arena is good, some of the Major League coaches aren't) and players are constantly challenged for their places in the team.\n\nIf you look at the Czech Republic, they have players playing for top clubs in:\nEngland\nHolland\nRussia\nItaly\nGermany\nFrance\nAustria\nCzech Republic, and,\nTurkey.\n\nMeanwhile, USA has more then 1/2 their team playing in the domestic leagues, with the remaining playing for mediocre Engllish or German clubs.\n\nHope you appreciate that I am being honest rather then diplomatic.
1000375
1. Despite the FIFA World Rankings there's no way the U.S. is the 5th best team in the world.  Being ranked that high has probably upped expectations beyond where they should be.  In a group with Italy and the Czech Republic it would be an upset for the U.S. to go through to the next round.\n\n2. As for the rest of your question, unfortunately what many pro sports stars in the U.S. have in abundance, selfishness and arrogance, doesn't lend itself to success in team sports.  So it's no wonder they've done so poorly in international competitions lately.
1167302
Brazil head the FIFA world rankings followed by all other countries like Czech Republic, Mexico, USA, Portugual etc
336378
USA has a great chance at being number #1 or #2 in the group.Johnson will give every team a hard time with his speed.Also Donovan is playing very unselfishly latly.Even is the MLS game this weekend he had 2 assists.That is what we need from him in the World Cup.Sorry tho if they get number 2 in the group,they will lose to brazil in Dortmund the 27 of june.You never know they might be #1 in their group and then they would get through the 1st round!
1120686
So tired of this question... \n\nWhy is the rest of the world so insecure because Americans have a game that is more fun than soccer and decided to call it football.  I'm thinking of starting a petition to change the official name of the American sport from football to:\n"THE GREATEST GAME IN THE WORLD AND TONS BETTER THAN DUMB STUPID SOCCER BALL"  \nWe'll still call it football for short though and insist that persons from Europe must call it by it's formal name.  Anyone want to sign up?  \n\nIf you are really interested in how American football got it's name, see the link below.  Everything you ever wanted to know.
1031673
The most recent tournaments played and last so-many games played.\nBut it is open to interpretation. Why else is USA 5th in the world.
329600
U.S.A. is most overated, ranked 4th in the world cup, please. The reason is because they are trying to market 'soccer' in the U.S.A. Its all a marketing strategy to promote soccer in USA.