12/21/24
September 13, 2006
After the debacle in Germany, FIFA may finally have at least one country's ranking correct.:
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY to soccer at 10:12 AM - 7 comments
Scotland played Brazil very, very tough at France98, but in the end, it didn't mean very much. Unless you can show up at every match (they were outclassed by the Czechs and outplayed by the Ghanians, even though the penalty against the latter was questionable) and put yourself in a position to win in the group stage, you're pretty much a second tier team. I definitely think that's a fair characterization of the US team this year. Looking at the rankings, putting the US anywhere between 20 and 29 seems about right, give or take. Honestly, other than Kasey Keller (big maybe), was there anyone on the US WC team that would have cracked the 1st squads of any team in the top 10-15? Brazil ranked at no. 1 makes me choke a bit however, I think that has more to do with reputation than result. The score was only 1-0, but they were dominated by France in the quarters. They have without question, some of the very best players in the world, but as a team, I'd put them at 3, 4 or 5. England at 4 seems questionable to me, too. They certainly have loads of talent. Who knows how far they could have gone if they had a better manager in the WC, but they really need to deliver at Euro08, to justify their high ranking.
posted by psmealey at 12:55 PM on September 13, 2006
There's something about the #4 ranking... After FIFA's rankings were confirmed as laughable by having the US at 4, they're now confirmed as laughable by having England there. Still, at least the rankings led to this picture of Steve McLaren. 
posted by Mr Bismarck at 01:20 PM on September 13, 2006
I'm from England. I love the England team. But 4th after that debacle in Germany? Chuck a one in front of the four, and that'd be a lot closer I think.
posted by Drood at 01:42 PM on September 13, 2006
I like the changes in the ranking rules, particularly going from past eight years to past four.
posted by bobfoot at 09:23 PM on September 13, 2006
Fifa, with all of their crazy rankings followed by an elaborate playoff system... What they need is a simple straight forward system that leaves no doubt in anyone's mind as to who's the best, like this.
posted by kyrilmitch_76 at 10:30 PM on September 13, 2006
Um, what is it with Americans and FIFA rankings? I know that you're accustomed to the coaches' poll at this time of year, but come on: a couple of matches into regional qualifiers, we're permitted to give even less of a shit about this than usual, at very least until 2008.
posted by etagloh at 09:08 PM on September 15, 2006
I don't think the U.S. performance in Germany was a "debacle." It will always be disappointing when a team with our resources doesn't make it to the second round, but the U.S. played a great match against the eventual Cup winner. That's not bupkiss.