This is almost exactly the story of my own Arsenal fandom, from rise to fall. I was really into Chile's national team for a while. So much so that my wife and son got me a Chilean national team jersey for Father's Day a few years ago.
They were quite good in 2014 tbh. The problem with such countries is that they flare up and dazzle and then it stopps again. It's the other way around with the power houses. These from time to time go awol and then return with blazing guns.
Yeah, they were truly a joy to watch for several years. I used to quite fancy your side but the 2006-2010 stretch didn't do much for me, results aside. While we're on the subject of "second teams" probably my favorite goal I ever saw scored live was Cambiasso's famous goal for Argentina at the end of the 24-pass sequence vs. Serbia at the 2006 WC.
Emotionally, it's hard to argue with Donovan vs. Algeria. Mathis' goal vs. South Korea in 2002 has always been a personal favorite.
Ditto, but I would add Donovan vs Brazil 2009. That might be the single sweetest counterattack I've ever seen. Certainly among them.
My second team is Wales... My Great-Great Grandfather (yeah way back) came from there so I have one of five Welsh last names, and then I studied in North Wales for a year. Fell in love with the country and the people, plus everyone identifies with being Irish, so I figured I'd be a little different and identify more with my Welsh side. The qualifiers and the finals of Euro 2016 were fun but besides that they haven't done much in Association Football. But in Rugby now we're talking!
The best almost goal usa ever had was mathis v ireland. He rocket like a 40 yard shot off the crossbar i think. Edgar davids style.
Don't really have one. But I like how Jamaica plays. And maybe a bit of a soft spot for Sweden, although mostly for hockey reasons even though that might not make much sense.
It wasn't off the crossbar, it was a save by Newcastle's Shay Given (one of the top keepers in the Premiership at the time, if you'll recall.) On a waterlogged pitch. That was early 2002, the very peak of Mathis' short brilliant career. I remember it well. Match highlights:
IIRC, Mathis hit the bar from distance against Chile in Albuquerque. 2006. Anyway, while Colombia will always be my second team, their boorish behavior at WC2018 notwithstanding, I have a spot in the old heart for The Republic of Ireland.