I think the best the US can reasonably hope for is to be the best team in North and Central America. At least we have pulled even with Mexico, if not slightly ahead. At least that puts us in position to be perennial WC participant.
I'd say well ahead of Mexico. When was the last time they beat USA outside of Mexico City?
Yes but as one Australian writer pointed out, the pool of candidates for qualification that includes the US is pretty weak tea. He claims it's intentional and that US qualification means corporate sponsorship dollars keep flowing to FIFA and it's hard to argue at times. I don't know if CONMEBOL and CONCACAF will ever mingle but perhaps moving to a different mix of qualification opponents would a) provide a sterner test for the US and b) better prepare them for WC opposition.