US Soccer Achieves Highest Ever Ranking; Ahead of England, France, and Spain

[epicSocialism4tw]

Wednesday, July 20, 2005

Germany jumps 10 spots

Associated Press

ZURICH, Switzerland -- The United States improved to No. 6 in FIFA's rankings Wednesday, the Americans' best showing in the monthly ratings by soccer's governing body.
The Americans, who will play in this week's CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinals, had never been ranked higher than seventh. They were 10th last month, but passed France, England, Portugal and Spain to move within one spot and three points of rival Mexico.


World Cup champion Brazil remained No. 1, and Argentina improved one spot to second. The Netherlands was third, and the Czech Republic dropped from second to fourth.

France fell two spots to seventh, and England, Spain and Portugal rounded out the top 10.

Germany moved from 21st to 11th, the biggest improvement of any nation in the top 20.

The United States will play Honduras in the Gold Cup semifinals Thursday night in East Rutherford, N.J.

[Bronx33]

Usa! Usa! Usa!

[elsid13]

Playing teams like Canada, Jamicia and rest of the regions teams, almost make feel that we are little overrated. Hopefully I wrong.

[watermock]

Here we go again, starting wars...l

[sirhcyennek81]

soccer...only sport i played i regretted playing. i swear this game alone is the reason i will have arthritic ankles when i am older.

[elsid13]

soccer...only sport i played i regretted playing. i swear this game alone is the reason i will have arthritic ankles when i am older.


That true plus broken toes and crappy knees

[ZachKC]

Great news...thanks for the post.

[broncoblue]

That true plus broken toes and crappy knees

ooops FOOTBALL thread haha i got slammed for...................but fked joints olympic freestyle wrestling is the winner ^5

[elsid13]

ooops FOOTBALL thread haha i got slammed for...................but fked joints olympic freestyle wrestling is the winner ^5


That true, but rugby is also smart choice for making you feel old before your time.

[Rock Chalk]

Kinda cool.

But not really.

[sirhcyennek81]

football, i tore an acl and dislocated my shoulder. you know, injuries i can brag about.

[ZachKC]

13 years of football and I never once got hurt, it was amazing. I played 2 summers of rec lacrosse and got a concussion.

Ha.

[broncoblue]

wrestling= broke every finger,disvcalated knee cap and oops nearely forgot 4 days in nr coma ...scarey ****

[FADERPROOF]

football, i tore an acl and dislocated my shoulder. you know, injuries i can brag about.

That's nothing, I broke my ring finger playing football.

;)

[epicSocialism4tw]

Playing teams like Canada, Jamicia and rest of the regions teams, almost make feel that we are little overrated. Hopefully I wrong.


We have some decent regional teams in Mexico and Costa Rica. Jamaica isn't too bad. They have some internationals on their team.

I think that we are moving up in the rankings because we are getting more players into the top Euro leagues.

[Broncos4Life]

I think Costa Rica is pretty good. Jamaica on the other hand sucks. Seriously, have you seen them play? Their last game against Mexico was horendous.
Here are some stats that support the #6 ranking.

http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=201842

STREAKING: The U.S. has not-so-quietly emerged as one of the superpowers of the region, and in the process has developed a reputation as a team that's hard to beat. The defense has been particularly effective, an effort that requires all 11 players. While the opinion remains subjective, the facts are a bit more obvious. At the risk of jinxing the streaks, did you know that the U.S. MNT has not ...


-suffered a shutout loss in 25 overall matches (2/18/2004 @ Holland, 0-1 L)

-suffered a shutout loss at home in 28 matches (2/8/2003 vs. Argentina, 0-1 L)

-lost by more than one goal in 46 matches (6/14/2002 vs. Poland, 1-3 L)

-lost at home by more than one goal in 31 matches (5/19/2002 vs. Holland, 0-2 L)
-
lost at home vs. a CONCACAF opponent in 28 matches (9/1/2001 vs. Honduras, 2-3 L)

[epicSocialism4tw]

I think Costa Rica is pretty good. Jamaica on the other hand sucks. Seriously, have you seen them play? Their last game against Mexico was horendous.
Here are some stats that support the #6 ranking.

http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=201842

STREAKING: The U.S. has not-so-quietly emerged as one of the superpowers of the region, and in the process has developed a reputation as a team that's hard to beat. The defense has been particularly effective, an effort that requires all 11 players. While the opinion remains subjective, the facts are a bit more obvious. At the risk of jinxing the streaks, did you know that the U.S. MNT has not ...


-suffered a shutout loss in 25 overall matches (2/18/2004 @ Holland, 0-1 L)

-suffered a shutout loss at home in 28 matches (2/8/2003 vs. Argentina, 0-1 L)

-lost by more than one goal in 46 matches (6/14/2002 vs. Poland, 1-3 L)

-lost at home by more than one goal in 31 matches (5/19/2002 vs. Holland, 0-2 L)
-
lost at home vs. a CONCACAF opponent in 28 matches (9/1/2001 vs. Honduras, 2-3 L)

Good stats. Thanks for posting.

The losses against Holland were both well fought for the US. That 2-0 loss came as a friendly world cup tune-up a couple of weeks prior to the '02 cup. Holland came to play because they had not made the cup (how the heck does Holland not make the cup?), and we played our spares and hung right there with them. The game could have gone either way.

Jamaica isn't a team full of world beaters, but they are strong and fast. They can surprise you.

[Ninjafied]

US Soccer Achieves Highest Ever Ranking; Ahead of England, France, and Spain

I found this to be really shocking :crazy: - who knew the US had a soccer team?
I thought that sport was limited to the hyperactive kids and the ones that couldn't make the baseball team at summer camp.

[epicSocialism4tw]

US Soccer Achieves Highest Ever Ranking; Ahead of England, France, and Spain

I found this to be really shocking :crazy: - who knew the US had a soccer team?
I thought that sport was limited to the hyperactive kids and the ones that couldn't make the baseball team at summer camp.

Yeah, you should watch. We have a world class soccer program that is on the rise. US soccer is finally starting to draw top level athletes from the youth system who used to only go into football, basketball, and baseball after middle school.

Our soccer team is the only major sports team in the US that is still an underdog on the international level. No other country cares about american football, a couple care about baseball a little, and more care about basketball now than they have in the past. US soccer represents the US as athletes on the international level more than any other sport. How can you not pull for them?

We let fans from other countries come in to our place and take our home field advantage away. How can we let that happen?

Okay. I feel better now. Support US soccer.

[GSRelyea]

Just got my tickets to USA/Mexico Labor Day weekend in Columbus OH. If anyone is in that area and wants to go, check out this site:
www.sams-army.com

You just have to register, it is free.

[GSRelyea]

And you have to agree to their rules, which are pretty cool.
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY
IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THE SAM'S ARMY SECTION AT US NATIONAL TEAM MATCHES

The Sam's Army section has had many curiosity seekers come in and not participate as well as some who have come into the section and not willing to follow group dynamics. If you are not interested in helping us with the following, then PLEASE RECONSIDER ATTENDING A MATCH WITH US IN THE FUTURE.

STANDING- The section is a standing section. We stand for the whole match. if you are looking to relax for 90 minutes, this is not the place for you.

PARTICIPATION- This is required. It is the essence of what we are about. To energize the team and other fans by creating vocal support.

GENERAL ADMISSION- Despite there being a row and seat number on your ticket, the Sam's Army sections tend to be a General Admission area which allows people to move freely. If someone asks you for their exact seat, let them have it. If YOU are the person who demands to have their exact seat, then please reconsider coming into the section in the future. Also, try to let kids who cannot see get to the front, but please leave the first few rows free for home town season ticket holders.

WEAR RED!!- Sam's Army has been creating pools of red in stadiums since 1995. At that time, the U.S. did not have a red jersey. They no longer have a red jersey, but this will not change the noticeable color of red that we wear. Please try to help us change this pool into a "Sea of Red"

ORGANIZATION- We are trying to get the most vocal people and drums together in the center portion of the Sam's Army section. This will help in songs starting and spreading throughout the section. If you want to be part of the core group to start songs then work together with one another! If you are a drummer who wants to bang a drum, make noise, and not help in coordinating ONE VOICE, then please reconsider joining us in future matches.

BEHAVIOR- DO NOT THROW ANYTHING ON THE FIELD!!! If you see someone doing this, tell them to stop or get security to eject them. We do not promote violent or racist behavior, however, the section is not "G" rated either. Language and behavior in the section is no different than what one experiences at other sporting events. Though we do not condone this, we can not control the behavior of everyone. If you are sensitive to this type of behavior or you are the person acting this way, then please reconsider attending a match with us in the future.

TICKETS- If you are purchasing tickets for others a or resell your tickets, BE SURE everyone in your group and the persons you sell your tickets to know what to expect.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns , please contact me via the link below. Keep an eye on the web site for all updated info regarding the matches. Enjoy!!!

Sincerely,
Mark Spacone
cofounder, Sam's Army

[epicSocialism4tw]

And you have to agree to their rules, which are pretty cool.
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY
IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THE SAM'S ARMY SECTION AT US NATIONAL TEAM MATCHES

The Sam's Army section has had many curiosity seekers come in and not participate as well as some who have come into the section and not willing to follow group dynamics. If you are not interested in helping us with the following, then PLEASE RECONSIDER ATTENDING A MATCH WITH US IN THE FUTURE.

STANDING- The section is a standing section. We stand for the whole match. if you are looking to relax for 90 minutes, this is not the place for you.

PARTICIPATION- This is required. It is the essence of what we are about. To energize the team and other fans by creating vocal support.

GENERAL ADMISSION- Despite there being a row and seat number on your ticket, the Sam's Army sections tend to be a General Admission area which allows people to move freely. If someone asks you for their exact seat, let them have it. If YOU are the person who demands to have their exact seat, then please reconsider coming into the section in the future. Also, try to let kids who cannot see get to the front, but please leave the first few rows free for home town season ticket holders.

WEAR RED!!- Sam's Army has been creating pools of red in stadiums since 1995. At that time, the U.S. did not have a red jersey. They no longer have a red jersey, but this will not change the noticeable color of red that we wear. Please try to help us change this pool into a "Sea of Red"

ORGANIZATION- We are trying to get the most vocal people and drums together in the center portion of the Sam's Army section. This will help in songs starting and spreading throughout the section. If you want to be part of the core group to start songs then work together with one another! If you are a drummer who wants to bang a drum, make noise, and not help in coordinating ONE VOICE, then please reconsider joining us in future matches.

BEHAVIOR- DO NOT THROW ANYTHING ON THE FIELD!!! If you see someone doing this, tell them to stop or get security to eject them. We do not promote violent or racist behavior, however, the section is not "G" rated either. Language and behavior in the section is no different than what one experiences at other sporting events. Though we do not condone this, we can not control the behavior of everyone. If you are sensitive to this type of behavior or you are the person acting this way, then please reconsider attending a match with us in the future.

TICKETS- If you are purchasing tickets for others a or resell your tickets, BE SURE everyone in your group and the persons you sell your tickets to know what to expect.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns , please contact me via the link below. Keep an eye on the web site for all updated info regarding the matches. Enjoy!!!

Sincerely,
Mark Spacone
cofounder, Sam's Army


Man...that sounds like a blast! The last US game that I got to see was in the early 90's (they dont come around here much) and Sams Army was not yet in existence. I would have loved to have been a part of that.

[Mediator12]

Just got my tickets to USA/Mexico Labor Day weekend in Columbus OH. If anyone is in that area and wants to go, check out this site:
www.sams-army.com

You just have to register, it is free.

You guys seem to know Soccer fairly well. I am going to the game with a few guys you might know Juergen Sommer and Todd Yeagley. If you would like to hook up, pm me.

[Tom H.]

That true plus broken toes and crappy knees

I was the best long distance runner on my highschool JV soccer team. By seasons end my knees swelled up to the point that I had to crawl around my house to get around. Good thing swimming season started after soccer, it was much better for my legs.

[epicSocialism4tw]

You guys seem to know Soccer fairly well. I am going to the game with a few guys you might know Juergen Sommer and Todd Yeagley. If you would like to hook up, pm me.


I'm a keeper, so ya gotta love Sommer :)

[GSRelyea]

I'm a keeper, so ya gotta love Sommer :)

I was a keeper as well. Shattered my hand pretty bad, and that pretty much ended things. But love to watch it.

[epicSocialism4tw]

I was a keeper as well. Shattered my hand pretty bad, and that pretty much ended things. But love to watch it.


I went out and played some last week for the first time in about 6 years and found out real quickly that I had done some damage to my wrists from trapping the ball against the ground on dives.

I played for years on a chronically sprained ankle and a bone bruise on my heel and it took all of 20 minutes worth of play to feel those suckers flare up again.

[GSRelyea]

I went out and played some last week for the first time in about 6 years and found out real quickly that I had done some damage to my wrists from trapping the ball against the ground on dives.

I played for years on a chronically sprained ankle and a bone bruise on my heel and it took all of 20 minutes worth of play to feel those suckers flare up again.

I tried to play a couple of years after the injury, but was too hesitant. My 2nd medacarpal split and poked right through the skin. I was a little freaked out when I finally got the gloves off. But now I am just waaay to out of shape to even think about it. Have thought about getting into coaching at the club level, I think that would be cool.

[epicSocialism4tw]

I tried to play a couple of years after the injury, but was too hesitant. My 2nd medacarpal split and poked right through the skin. I was a little freaked out when I finally got the gloves off. But now I am just waaay to out of shape to even think about it. Have thought about getting into coaching at the club level, I think that would be cool.


Yeah, that would be fun. Im working with a local college player right now. He is pretty short on fundamentals. He's got excellent work ethic and the right attitude though. He'll find a place on the team.

Yeah, I bet your injury was pretty gruesome. I split half of my forearm open on the underside while jumping a fence. I saw the adipose tissue hanging out and knew something was really wrong. When I got to the ER, the guy cleaned it with an abrasive pad and let me watch while I opened and closed my hand. That's some cool stuff right there! It was on the same night that John Bobbitt lost his member, and the doctor pointed out that I had a significant slash running down my shorts from the waistline through the groin area that did not contact skin. He and the assistant had a pretty good laugh about that one.

[epicSocialism4tw]

US beats Honduras 2-1 with atying goal in the 85th minute by John O'Brien and the winner in the 90th minute by Oguchi Onyewu. Well done fellas!

In the other Gold Cup semifinal, Panama upset Columbia 3-2. The US will play Panama for the Gold Cup on Saturday at 3pm ET on Univision (ESPN needs to get some gumption and start putting MNT games on).

[Mediator12]

US beats Honduras 2-1 with atying goal in the 85th minute by John O'Brien and the winner in the 90th minute by Oguchi Onyewu. Well done fellas!

In the other Gold Cup semifinal, Panama upset Columbia 3-2. The US will play Panama for the Gold Cup on Saturday at 3pm ET on Univision (ESPN needs to get some gumption and start putting MNT games on).

Unfortunately, women's Softball must be a better draw at that time period. WTF :hitself:

[epicSocialism4tw]

Unfortunately, women's Softball must be a better draw at that time period. WTF :hitself:


No joke. There is this seeming hatred for soccer in our sports media here. Its only the most popular sport in the world bay far. You would think that they would feel a need to cover it. Especially when there is nothing but uninteresting sports outside of baseball to cover. I wonder if they cant afford to buy the games for the return on viewership that they expect.

[sirhcyennek81]

also had a lot of groin pulls in soccer. not so much in football. these suck, and not in any fun way.

[Rascal]

Rugby is an awesome sport. God I love playing that.

Went and lived in New Zealand/Australia for about 7 weeks and played on a regular basis. Being as big as I am they were always happy to have me join and got to play with several of their professionals. Never got my ass kicked so many times in my life. IMO those guys are better athletes then we are per person by far.

Lost two teeth, broke my nose, dislocated my shoulder twice, and cracked three ribs but it was the most enjoyable game I have ever played.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

Unfortunately, women's Softball must be a better draw at that time period. WTF :hitself:

or the World's Strongest Man from 1972 or the 50th re-run of poker from last year, but this time with the player commentary

[epicSocialism4tw]

or the World's Strongest Man from 1972 or the 50th re-run of poker from last year, but this time with the player commentary

Lol!

[Mediator12]

Man...that sounds like a blast! The last US game that I got to see was in the early 90's (they dont come around here much) and Sams Army was not yet in existence. I would have loved to have been a part of that.

Was that the game versus Honduras in Dallas at the Cotton Bowl? I was there watching my boys Chad Deering and Juergen playing. Worst Thunderstorm I ever saw came threw and Dropped Hail all over the Place!

[fontaine]

Rugby is an awesome sport. God I love playing that.

Went and lived in New Zealand/Australia for about 7 weeks and played on a regular basis. Being as big as I am they were always happy to have me join and got to play with several of their professionals. Never got my ass kicked so many times in my life. IMO those guys are better athletes then we are per person by far.

Lost two teeth, broke my nose, dislocated my shoulder twice, and cracked three ribs but it was the most enjoyable game I have ever played.

Yes, it's a game that you truly have to love to play it. It definitely requires you to be in extreme shape because you play both ways and have to pretty much play sideline to sideline unless you're one of the guys that gets into the rucks and just falls on opponents knees on purpose.

[Dukes]

I'm not much of a soccer fan, never played in competitively. But i'll root for them because they represent the US :USA:

[Sir Mawn]

FIFA rankings are bogus. Mexico's been ranked number 4 overall before and we're not even close to that. The US, although very much improved doesn't crack a real top ten if you ask me.

[Rascal]

Yes, it's a game that you truly have to love to play it. It definitely requires you to be in extreme shape because you play both ways and have to pretty much play sideline to sideline unless you're one of the guys that gets into the rucks and just falls on opponents knees on purpose.

Well the guys I was playing with wouldn't stand for that. Playing hard was one thing, but if they played dirty you got your ass kicked big time. Several of them being professionals they weren't going to tolerate that sort of crap.

[epicSocialism4tw]

Was that the game versus Honduras in Dallas at the Cotton Bowl? I was there watching my boys Chad Deering and Juergen playing. Worst Thunderstorm I ever saw came threw and Dropped Hail all over the Place!


It was a few years before Deering hit the pitch. He was probably still in the youth system. Sommer came later as well. It was one of Cobi Jones' first caps with the Natl squad. I dont remember the opponent, but I do remember saying hello to Jones and Meola, who were both in their beginnings with the natl. team. I think that it was right after we got romped in the '90 cup. It was at the cotton bowl, though.

[epicSocialism4tw]

FIFA rankings are bogus. Mexico's been ranked number 4 overall before and we're not even close to that. The US, although very much improved doesn't crack a real top ten if you ask me.


I agree with that, but the US is improving and has done some noticeable things on the intl. level. I would put Holland, Brazil, Argentina, England, Ireland, the Chezch's, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Nigeria (sometimes), Germany (sometimes), France, Croatia, and maybe even Poland ahead of us on average. Columbia comes close as well.

It's like anything else though, some teams have poor showings and some have great showings and you rank them accordingly, but when you put them in a playoff situation you see the real teams show up (unless you are Portugal).

Judging by the last World Cup, our natl. team is improving by leaps and bounds. We outplayed Germany who had to get help from the referees to barely beat us and move into the semifinal. We also smoked the mammoth Portugal in that tournament.

I guess that project 40 is doing some good things for the development of our youth. We are seeing more placement of our youth in foreign development leagues straight from our youth system and that is helping. We have another generation of guys coming up that are getting top-level development in the euro leagues. Jonathan Spector, Quentin Westberg, etc. are having some good showings at that level.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

I guess that project 40 is doing some good things for the development of our youth. We are seeing more placement of our youth in foreign development leagues straight from our youth system and that is helping. We have another generation of guys coming up that are getting top-level development in the euro leagues. Jonathan Spector, Quentin Westberg, etc. are having some good showings at that level.

It'd help if the best would go over and stay too. I've got 0 respect for Donovan because I think he's a complete puss for not gutting it out the 2nd time he went to Leverkusen and trying to fight for a first team spot.

[Sir Mawn]

I agree with that, but the US is improving and has done some noticeable things on the intl. level. I would put Holland, Brazil, Argentina, England, Ireland, the Chezch's, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Nigeria (sometimes), Germany (sometimes), France, Croatia, and maybe even Poland ahead of us on average. Columbia comes close as well.

It's like anything else though, some teams have poor showings and some have great showings and you rank them accordingly, but when you put them in a playoff situation you see the real teams show up (unless you are Portugal).

Judging by the last World Cup, our natl. team is improving by leaps and bounds. We outplayed Germany who had to get help from the referees to barely beat us and move into the semifinal. We also smoked the mammoth Portugal in that tournament.

I guess that project 40 is doing some good things for the development of our youth. We are seeing more placement of our youth in foreign development leagues straight from our youth system and that is helping. We have another generation of guys coming up that are getting top-level development in the euro leagues. Jonathan Spector, Quentin Westberg, etc. are having some good showings at that level.


Indeed. The US squad has improved dramatically.

[epicSocialism4tw]

It'd help if the best would go over and stay too. I've got 0 respect for Donovan because I think he's a complete puss for not gutting it out the 2nd time he went to Leverkusen and trying to fight for a first team spot.


To his credit, Donovan didnt get much of a fair shake. There is a bias against Americans for the most part in the Bundesliga because we historically havent put good athletes into that league. Think euro NBA players before Dirk Nowitzki. Even the guys who have played well in matches dont get playing time. Donovan wanted to play. He knew what that league was about. He probably also wanted to be in the same country as his family. Spending important parts of your youth in another country cant be too easy. Especially when you know that you are not wanted.
Donovan is a world class player regardless.

[Mediator12]

It'd help if the best would go over and stay too. I've got 0 respect for Donovan because I think he's a complete puss for not gutting it out the 2nd time he went to Leverkusen and trying to fight for a first team spot.

I agree until I read an article where they were not going to use their international spots on him that year. The best players do not always get to play in Germany due to the restrictions. I have played oversees in Holland and the very fact that you are an American trying to take a spot on the first team roster gets you marked in practices. My friend Chad Deering almost missed a World Cup Roster spot because a German Defender took him out in Practice with Werder Bremen. Right Now England is the only truly friendly European league and getting a Work permit requires you to have a certain number of CAPS with the Full National team. I had Three with The "B" team and two years in the U-23 camp and the EPL Board did not even accept my application.