'Nats Climb To 4th In FIFA Rankings
(Soccer365.com) - The US National Team received its highest FIFA World Ranking ever.
A little less than two months before the 2006 FIFA World Cup, the U.S. Men’s National Team received their highest ever position in the FIFA World Rankings, moving up one spot to fourth place. Their record-setting position puts them two spots ahead of CONCACAF rival Mexico and in front of such powerhouses as Argentina, Spain, France and England.
The U.S. jumped ahead of Argentina, who fell from fourth to eighth, allowing the U.S., Spain, Mexico and France to move up one position each. The USA's Group E opponents in this summer’s World Cup in Germany either stayed in the same position or moved down in the rankings. Czech Republic stayed in second place, behind consistent front-runners Brazil, while Italy fell to 14th place, tied with Nigeria. Ghana stayed level at 50th place in the world.
For the second consecutive month, every team in the Top 10 dropped in their point total. Brazil still has a stranglehold on the top position with 830 points, well ahead of the Czech Republic (779), who is holding off the Netherlands (774). Below those top three it is a tight race as just seven points separate the U.S. in fourth and Portgual and Argentina in eighth.
The U.S. has been higher than 10th since breaking back into the Top 10 in March, 2005. The 14-month stretch ties the USA’s longest streak in the Top 10. The U.S. broke into the Top 10 for the first time in August of 2002, after their remarkable quarterfinal run in the 2002 World Cup, staying in the exclusive club until August of 2003. The U.S. has been no lower than 12th place since breaking the Top 10 barrier in 2002.
The U.S. has begun 2006 with a 4-1-2 record while netting 15 goals while surrendering seven. Up next, the U.S. will face Morocco (36), Venezuela (71) and Latvia (69) in the Send-Off Series before departing for Germany.
The U.S. was drawn into Group E for the 2006 FIFA World Cup along with the Czech Republic, Italy and Ghana. The U.S. plays their opening match against the Czechs on June 12 in Gelsenkirchen before meeting Italy in Kaiserslautern on June 17 and then finishing off group play against Ghana on June 22 in Nuremberg. The U.S. has chosen the northern port city of Hamburg as their base of operations throughout the tournament.
courtesy of ussoccer.com
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Comments
How is it possible that the US is 4th in the FIFA rankings... how do we move up after getting our butts kicked in Germany and a lame draw with Jamaica? Strange.
Posted by: what? | April 20, 2006 11:07 AM
Do you think they meant the US women's team?
Posted by: Anyone but England | April 20, 2006 05:00 PM
Time to prove to the world that being #4 is not good enough anymore!
Posted by: Brendan | April 20, 2006 05:24 PM
I agree with the post by 'what?'. FIFA's official rankings on their web site support the article.
However, I am pretty upset that we got ranked this high and yet didn't get seeded for the WC draw.
Posted by: hobbes8calvin | April 21, 2006 10:25 AM
I understand that 4th is good, but we sholud have dropped to 5th? So lets show the rest of the world that we deserve a #4 ranking.
Posted by: thats cool | April 21, 2006 03:27 PM
This is an upset to soccer in the world Usa in 4th they should of never got into the top ten in the first place. just sad
Posted by: Kent | April 21, 2006 05:48 PM
I too think that it is strange that the US move up to 4th after a big loss and a tie, although, neither of those squads were anywhere close to our best. I think it's great that we're in 4th, but will we let this get to our heads? I truly believe that we could win this world cup and I don't care what anyone says.
Posted by: Cheese | April 21, 2006 08:22 PM
how could the usa get a better ranking that mexico something is really wack with FIFA!!!!
Posted by: ronaldo | April 21, 2006 10:40 PM
Yeah what's up with that? how in the world did the USA get to number four, and how did the czech republic get to number 2? something seems a little messed up with the FIFA rankings.
Posted by: Josh | April 24, 2006 07:44 PM
how is it that us did better than mexico. mexico has been longer and more experienced. fifa needs to be real!
Posted by: live mex | May 26, 2006 12:12 PM
Despite the fact US may not fit to 4th place in the world, just amazing that soccer is not still a major sports in States at the same time they have great players and national team.
Posted by: Frankie | May 26, 2006 10:15 PM
Further proof that soccer is big business now. Ahead of Argentina?, pls, give me a break!!!
Posted by: Fernando | May 27, 2006 11:13 AM
Cry some more about mexico please! I HATE MEXICO!!
Posted by: Brandon | May 27, 2006 09:20 PM