[Jameison]

"Is this the same "sport" where opposing fans regularly chant "Osama! Osama! Osama!" at the U.S. team?"

That usually happens when we play our ever so friendly neighbors Mexico in Mexico.

[Jonah Johansen]

These nations put so much national pride on the line with the world cup.

There is no doubt in my mind that if the US was to stop playing American football and switch our focus to Soccer we would win the World Cup 10 zip.
I don't think you can use our Olympic baseball or basketball showings as a standard. If the very best NBA players trained together for 4 years, I don't think the gold medal would be in doubt.