[Vision2020] USA way over-ranked in World Cup

[Jeff Harkins]

You may be surprised at how well we have done in 
Europe.  Take a few minutes to find out where most of the US team plays.

Check out Landon Donovan, Kasey Keller, Claudio 
Reyna, Brian McBride - then look more closely at 
the roster.  You may be very surprised at what you learn.

At 11:30 AM 6/8/2006, you wrote:

>Anybody know how many games the US has won in 
>Europe in the past 10 years . . . I think its like 1.
>
>My prediction. The US gets swept, although I 
>hope not. By the way, anyone who would rank the 
>US in front of either Brazil, England, Holland, 
>Germany, Argentina, France, Spain, or Italy are 
>sort of like people who rank other nations ahead 
>of us in Basketball. . . yes they might beat us 
>from time to time, but that is primarily based 
>on our own issues, not their skill.
>
>Another issue, in Europe, Futbol is a contact 
>sport . . .our players, especially our players, 
>better like getting hit, especially those 
>MLS/elite upper class suburb atheletes/"hey, he 
>hit me" will not work, the refs will not speak English.
>
>Not to be a rain cloud . . .I love the World Cup 
>and do hope the US does well, a repeat of last time would be great
>
>Cheers
>Rob
>
>
>>From: Jeff Harkins <jeffh at moscow.com>
>>To: "Drew Hicks" <drizzle.hicks at gmail.com>;, vision2020 at moscow.com
>>Subject: Re: [Vision2020] USA way over-ranked in World Cup
>>Date: Thu, 08 Jun 2006 11:07:14 -0700
>>
>>The US has a very strong team going in to the 
>>World Cup - if you have followed the US Men's 
>>team since Bruce Arena took over as head coach, 
>>you would know that.  Their showing in the 2002 
>>WC was quite impressive.  Most of the players 
>>on this year's WC team play for international 
>>clubs - those that don't play in the MLS.
>>
>>But, do they deserve a #5 ranking - well, based 
>>on the FIFA ranking system - yes.  Does that 
>>mean they will make the quarter finals? - I 
>>think that is why they play the games.
>>
>>And wow, it is the start of the World Cup - so 
>>we don't have to wait too long to find out 
>>about the strength of our team - they open with 
>>the Czech Republic (a very strong team).  The 
>>US also has to play in their group - Italy and 
>>Ghana - a tough group for sure.  So, forget the 
>>rankings - watch and cheer for the US!
>>
>>At 10:30 AM 6/8/2006, you wrote:
>>>What's with USA pulling a #5 ranking? What 
>>>have we ever done to deserve that? Has FIFA 
>>>forgotten about the other 15 teams that would embarrass us in a match?
>>>
>>>Drizzle
>>>_____________________________________________________
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>>
>>
>>
>>_____________________________________________________
>>List services made available by First Step 
>>Internet, serving the communities of the 
>>Palouse since 1994.                 http://www.fsr.net
>>                              mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
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