http://www.fifa.com/en/mens/statistics/index/0,2548,All-Mar-2006,00.html Yeah, I know the rankings don't really mean anything but it's nice to finally be ranked ahead of Mexico.
They base it on a points system that includes the last 2 world cups, and while we were a quarterfinalist in Korea, we finished DEAD last in France. DD
I never agree with the fifa rankings since it's all about how many games you play and stuff but hey it's nice seeing my team in the top 20..so ill take it.
Stack, we're running out of time on that IRA:MEX first-game friendly wager... Whilst I had been saying that the rankings are not anything to go by, the BIG DANCE is the decisive moment, and proven it was in 2002 (shut up, leroy420, plcmnts, DrL, etc. ) that this should be a WAKE UP call. Enjoy the ranking, "Estados Unidos." If possible, try to keep that number low and close to the top. More than deserved it is.
The worst part is that in our group is the 2nd ranked team in the world, us at 5, and Italy at 12.....one of the top 12 teams in the world is guaranteed to be out in round one. WOW ! DD
Don't count Ghana out just yet, they could easily play the role of spoilers. They are better than their ranking of 50, and they have one of the best midfields in the tournament, with Essien, Muntari and Appiah, they should be able to control the pace of the game.
I am so glad ESPN will be carrying the entire WC...I am sick of watching it on Spanish-language channels.
BUMP (right before the World Cup!) MAY 2006 standings... Rank|Country|+-| PointsTotal | PointsChangeSinceApril 4 Mexico 2 758 0 5 USA -1 756 -4 http://www.fifa.com/en/mens/statistics/index/0,2548,All-May-2006,00.html Well, WTF, I don't know what to make of this. Must be that win against Congo.
Do they factor in the level of difficulty of wins? I would think that the level of competition in Europe vs. NA is vastly different
I think it was our thrashing at the hands of Germany that caused us to drop. Here's what their site says for the ranking procedure http://www.fifa.com/en/mens/statistics/rank/procedures/0,2540,3,00.html One of the reasons US is so high on the list is that they play a lot of CONCACAF oppenents, the only one that is consistantly good is Mexico, so they get a lot of wins against them.
We'd have to argue that "a lot" claim... Update (all games): Mexico (MEX) USA (USA) 41 Played 41 19 Won 12 10 Drawn 10 12 Lost 19 78 Goals 48 Yeah, yeah... 2002... yeah, I know...
I meant we get a lot of wins against the weaker teams, which I mentioned Mexico not being one of. I guess I should have worded it better. PS. US > Mexico
