FIFA rankings are done by a machine that doesn't represent reality.
Italy is a world power. The US is a young soccer nation with emerging talent.
It WAS a heroic effort by the US. And it deserves that recognition.
"FIFA rankings are done by a machine that doesn't represent reality."
"Anyone who ranks the US ahead of Italy (or England or Portugal) needs to reexamine their rating method."
This is true to a certain extent. However, the rankings actually do seem more accurate than people usually credit. If you follow a simple method of betting on the higher ranked team in each match in a World Cup, this method will usually show a profit - conclusion, the rankings are more accurate than people's perceptions of which are the best teams generally are. A lot of the time, the traditional footballing powers tend to be overrated in the popular perception.
FWIW, I personally rank the USA superior to Portugal at this present moment and don't think that it's at all a given that Italy or England are better either.