Once again we were foiled by the Mexicans....looks like we'll have to make it to the quarters again to prove to the Eurocrats that we're serious. http://eur.i1.yimg.com/eu.download.yahoo.com/fifa/fu/finaldrawpot1.pdf
More proof that Euros have no idea what goes on in CONCACAF. The only place that Mexico is better than us is in Mexico city. I'm sure this summer's play by mex in the Confederations cup helped them significantly.
It owuld appear that they've figured out who qualifies for the World Cup, and what the results are for the CONCACAF teams that venture outside their regions to the World Cup and Confederations Cup. Because on that score, Mexico is the best in the region, and the U.S. is #2.
We got the shaft--Pot 4 is remarkably bad luck- Forget the "draw" and just base the groups on overall seeding 1-32. A '9 seed' is going to (worse case) play Brazil and Czech Republic while Angola will play Mexico and Poland. How is that fair- why is geography so important, isn't the integrity of competitiveness more important?
You were edged out by Italy and England as much as by Mexico. I look forward to your views on why you've been screwed there. In the end, FIFA knew exactly whom they wanted as seeds. The trick was coming up with a formula which gave them that. They got it. England, Mexico and Italy have football as a second pulse. In June, those countries will stop for the duration of a game in which they're - OK we're - involved. Corrupt? Probably. Wrong? No.
The fact is that FIFA has an error in their formula that makes Italy seeded instead of USA who should have been seeded if FIFA know math. http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=275090
You guys need to read the seeding procedures. FIFA have seeded this way for a while and Mexico was able to get a seed by the formula -- we weren't. We're still paying for the sins of '98. Or you could argue that its all Hugh Dallas' fault... Either way I'm glad we're not seeded, I don't think we've completely earned it and I think that if FIFA had 2 CONCACAF teams seeded at the expense of Italy or Argentina (who the US is only 1 point behind) the uproar would have been huge and they would have likely changed the formula...
Well, if you did that, you would have to rework the entire world cup system. geography is also key in determining how many teams compete from each region. If it was solely competitiveness, more teams from europe would compete and fewer from the other federations. However, this is the World Cup. The system as set up for geography, seems consistent on the whole. As for the person who stated that seeds should go to countries whose pulse stop for football. How do you even determine that? Are you saying the Dutch aren't footie mad, how about the Paraguayans? There is no system of measurement for that. Shoot just with the US's total population, you could probably get more soccer fans in the US than in the Netherlands. It is compeltely arbitrary, and can only be decided by prejudice and preconceived notions of privilege. Frankly, the entire system needs to be more transparent, but knowing FIFA, that will not happen for a long while.
I understand the setiment as well, but perhaps this will be motivation for the team to play well in this cup not only for this year, but for the next Cup as well. Also perhaps this will help Arena to get the US into the Confed Cup and other meaningful Cups between Germany 06 and th 10 Cup. But like I have said before, the seedings as well as the rankings don't mean squat when the first whistle blows and the game starts.
no matter what, we would end up playing good teams. don't worry we'll shut them up when we slap them in the face this summer.
Our failure to play in the Copa America after being invited, our debactle of '98, and our dismal Conferderations Cup were the key reasons we were not seeded. I can't say I disagree. I'm always harping on the fact we should play in the Copa America if invited. USSF was reluctant because of the MLS schedule but we shouldn't let that be the determining factor, we now have enough European players therefore not taking away all the MLS Nats. There's no doubt in my mind we are a little better than Mexico and equal to Spain but the fact of the matter is we lack the experience and/or results in the international competetions. We have nobody to blame but ourselves. In one way I gald we aren't seeded it takes a little pressure off. In addition some people are scared that we are going to be put into a "group of death" but I want that. I have confidence in our national team and we need to be tested. I would rather play quality teams than advancing by beating the likes of Saudi Arabia, Togo, ect.
Thank you France '98! Well, our suckage in France has come back to bite us. for the next WC, they'll probably keep including France 98 just to keep us down. Let's just win this thing in Germany next year and be rid of our French nightmare.
Well since we are stuck with the last 3 Cups then yes France 98 will continue to bite us, however as pointed out already, the US needs to play in more tourney's and get more results. But that is something to worry about after Germany. Right now they need to focus on getting ready for Germany and who cares about being seeded. Being seeded does not get you an extra goal for any of your matches and along with the rankings doesn't mean squat when the game starts. I am interested in the draw as that is the only important facet remaining prior to the games.
How did England 'edge' out anyone? According to some stats I've seen, England were second behind Brazil in the grand scheme of things. And not necessarily directed at the above quoted poster... ....I'm already getting sick of this "the US were screwed/shat upon/cheated etc etc". According to so many round here FIFA are desperate for football to take off in the US, what better way to make this happen than to give the US a seeding spot and help them find a way through to the second round? If there was going to be any underhandedness around I'd have expected that one. Fortunately FIFA saw sense and gave the appropriate people the seeding spots.
stop worrying about seeds and try to beat some good teams instead. If the US is so good you should be able to beat anyone no matter what.
This post is an example of why seeding should be left to more coherent minds than appear to be available in euroland.
I know you meant this in an unproductive way, but I agree anyway. I say bring on the group of death. In 2002 Portugal were one of the favorites to win the whole thing and the US kicked their butts. I think the US play better against better opponents and will do well no matter who they're drawn against.
The worst part about this is that we're in the weakest pool and therefore miss out on the chance to draw Saudi Arabia, Japan, or Iran.
