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You lot are in a tough group. Italy and the Czechs are favored to go through, and Ghana could surprise everyone. If the US fails to progress past the group stage it could be a step backwards for the sport in the US.

Why do you say that? The US has a higher FIFA rating than Italy (#5 vs #13) and the Czechs have injured players (though they are rated #2). I'm guessing that we will come out #2 in this round and then get beat by #1 Brazil in the next round (unless they somehow come out of the first round as the runner up). I'm hoping that we come out #1 in this round and don't have to deal with Brazil for a while. It is a possibility due to the Czech injuries. If we don't have to face Brazil initially we have a strong shot for at least the semi-finals.

"Why do you say that? The US has a higher FIFA rating than Italy (#5 vs #13) and the Czechs have injured players (though they are rated #2). I'm guessing that we will come out #2 in this round and then get beat by #1 Brazil in the next round (unless they somehow come out of the first round as the runner up). I'm hoping that we come out #1 in this round and don't have to deal with Brazil for a while. It is a possibility due to the Czech injuries. If we don't have to face Brazil initially we have a strong shot for at least the semi-finals."

No offense intended, but FIFA rankings aren't taken seriously by any soccer fan. They're based on a variety of unbalanced methods, mainly on wins. The US team plays the vast majority of its games against other CONCACAF teams, most of which are pretty pathetic (Canada included, unfortunately). Italy, on the other hand, plays mostly against Europeans sides of far superior quality.

If the USA tops the group, it'll be the shock of the tournament's group stage, by far.

As for the Czechs, Milan Baros is certain to miss the opener, but they still have Nedved and Rosicky in midfield and Cech in goal. Those three are highly rated, and as an avid follower of Serie A, I know the magic Nedved can produce.

Of course, anything is possible, but semi-finals is a bit unrealistic for your team IMO.

The US has a higher FIFA rating than Italy (#5 vs #13) and the Czechs have injured players (though they are rated #2)

Allow me to first brag for a moment... its Monday morning and I am in a hotel in Dortmund Germany. In another 2 hours I will be boarding a train for the short trip to Gelsenkirchen where the USA match is to be played. I have 3 tickets and will be at the match.

As far as FIFA rankings go, no one over here puts much power in them. I have spent a lot of time in pubs and on the street talking with the German fans, the English, the Danish, the Swedes etc. While the USA team has made good strides in the past 5 years and gained some respect among the Soccer giants, they still feel we have a ways to go. This, I hope plays out on the soccer field today. I hope that Czech will be looking past us to their other games. Cheers for the Yanks