Portugal has been weakened. But given the dismal performance of highly rated European teams so far, team USA stands a chance of making it for the first time ever to the coveted Round Of 16.
They just have to avoid being sent home.
We made it to the round of 16 in 2010. We actually came in third in the 1930 World Cup.
Team US got past the first round in 94 and in 02.
The current Round of 16 format, with only first and second place teams advancing, began in 1998. Previously the bracket included some third place teams, i.e., 1994 with USA going down on the Fourth of July to Brazil 1-0 in the first stage of the knockout rounds. USA lost to Germany 1-0 in the quarter finals (one stage past Round of 16) in 2002 and to Ghana 2-1 in 2010. Two knockout round appearances in 4 World Cups under the new format ain't bad.