The US may have played with more heart if their probably unfairly red carded player has been kept out. The best athletes in the US simply do not choose soccer.
Occam’s Razor: Maybe we just suck.
I agree with your post except the part that says “best athletes”. I am of the opinion that soccer players are the most fit athletes, and in my eyes, that makes them the “best.”
There are very few American football, basketball, baseball, or hockey players who could play half of a half of a soccer game. They’d pass out or complain why they weren’t subbed in or out.
I know this will rankle many here, but IMHO, soccer players are among the finest athletes in the world.