Ok, a couple more points about the U.S. and to clear up some issues that I've mentioned (although I understand that it is completely off the topic that I started).
Everton is reportedly interested in signing DaMarcus Beasley, who probably just played his last game for the Chicago Fire.
Landon Donovan is playing with San Jose to a) promote soccer in America and b) just get a little bit more mature before he heads back to Germany. He'll most likely be either a starter or top reserve for his team.
Chris Armas is also expected to sign with a European club during the MLS off-season (probably in the January transfer window) and not continue with the MLS.
Clint Mathis was also attracting attention from a top German club, but he's a major slacker and wasn't given the chance. Not defending him - just saying that they noticed the talent and his training methods (or lack thereof) were the main reason why he wasn't signed and didn't play much for the World Cup 2002 squad.
As was mentioned, we have three goalkeepers in the Premiership. Not going to go much more on that topic, at all. Also, John O'Brien starts for Ajax - his ratings, as well as EVERY PLAYER IN THE GAME, are much more realistic in CM4, compared to FIFA 2004. Claudio Reyna also starts for Sunderland - just more wood on the fire.
The players aren't superstars, and I haven't said that. But the respect has to be there for the American side and its movement into the top European clubs!
I respect the Australians that are in the game over in Europe - Viduka, Vieri, Kewell, Schwarzer, Emerton, Tiatto, et al. Matched up against the U.S., do I think Australia will win? Maybe. Maybe not. I certainly didn't think the U.S. or Senegal had a chance in their first round games in the World Cup, but that's why the games are played. It should be said, also, that Senegal won not because they were the better team, but because they were lucky and were better PREPARED to beat France. With the French background that the team had, the upset was possible from the beginning - not likely, but possible.
Anything can happen in a game between two sides that its worthless to bicker about who has the better squad UNTIL the teams play each other. Its possible that the U.S. and Brazil could meet each other in the next World Cup final, and the U.S. could win as most of the Brazilians tore an ACL. Is it likely to happen? Of course not. But its possible. Just as its possible to stick your hand through a glass window without actually breaking the glass (Physics stuff...).
My comment about the U.S. being underrated in the game was only due to what I felt was a lack of respect to where the U.S. game has gone over the years. I distinctly remember saying that I didn't consider the U.S. to be in the top tier of international soccer. The MLS obviously isn't the top league - its not meant to be, either. Its meant to be a springboard into the top leagues of the world, and an opportunity for players that normally wouldn't have a chance to play with a pro team that chance. Its like a JV squad to the higher up Varsity squad of England, Spain, Italy, Germany, etc.
Furthermore, the fact that the U.S. did so well in the World Cup is a little misleading. Keep in mind that when the World Cup is played, the U.S. is in the middle of its MLS season while the European squads are just getting out of their LONG seasons. Its not an excuse, just a fact that some players were a little bit better rested for the World Cup than others. Good teams just take advantage of the opportunity in front of them, and the U.S. did just that.
Long post, I know, but I'm almost done, and I have more to do with my time than to keep responding to what others say, so I'm trying to tie up any loose ends.
Go back to what my pro-American ally in this case mentioned about the scores that the U.S. has gotten against other teams, most notably Mexico. In the game, Mexico is GROSSLY overrated compared to the U.S., as can be seen by the fact that the U.S. is over .500 against them, and has dominated them recently. This is the point that I'm trying to make - if two teams of relatively equal caliber can battle it out each time they play, why aren't they considered equals in a rating system? On that note, I'd also like to mention that when I made the comments of the U.S. team's games against Holland and Germany, I don't remember ever saying that the U.S. squad was better than them. As a matter of fact, for the Holland game, I mentioned something that Holland's coach said after the game (it was meant as a respectful gesture on his part to honor the fact that the U.S. team is improving). Being at the game and watching O'Brien turn easily on Davids in the first half, only to JUST MISS THE SHOT, the game could've easily gone either way. It just wasn't a lucky day for the U.S. and they couldn't finish the chances when presented to them. Same goes for the Germany game - many international announcers were surprised that the Americans even came close to the German squad, and a few even predicted the Americans would win the game, prior to kick-off. And if you look at the final stats, the tell-all of the games, the Americans held their own against a German squad. They just got a little bit unlucky at times.
That being said, do I think soccer has arrived in America? Nope. Not even close. However, the U.S. has set a goal to win a World Cup in 2010, and I think that by then, the U.S. could very well be considered a strong team and be almost cosidered in the same vein as some of the top nations in the game. The "stars" of their current roster are going to be a little bit older, more experienced, and more skilled at the game. Does this always translate into success - no, of course not. Look at Portugal and the way they played at a World Cup they were supposed to contend for.
Mainly, all I'm looking for is respect. I respect what others have in their squads and nations, and I think respect should be given back to other squads. That's what this whole post was about, when asking who felt what team was overrated (too much respect) or underrated (lack of respect).
And now, I'm going to step off the proverbial soapbox and proceed to go dominate against Brazil with the United States in FIFA 2004.
