Photo by Celso Bayo/ISIPhotos.com
By DAN KARELL
The U.S. Men’s National Team exceeded expectations at the World Cup by getting out of the “Group of Death,” but their finish in the Round of 16 didn’t do them any favors in the latest FIFA Rankings.
FIFA released its first rankings since the end of the World Cup and the U.S. fell two places to No. 15, one place behind Italy and a spot ahead of CONCACAF rival Costa Rica. With the World Cup title, Germany moved up one place to No. 1, followed by Argentina, the Netherlands, which jumped 12 places, Colombia, and Belgium, to round out the top five.
Despite losing in the quarterfinals, Uruguay moved up one place to No. 6, ahead of Brazil, which dropped four places to No. 7 after an embarrassing 7-1 defeat to Germany. Spain, Switzerland, and France round out the top 10, in that order, with Spain dropping seven spots and France moving up 10 places.
On the back of Costa Rica’s inspiring semifinal run, Los Ticos jumped 16 places to No. 16, ahead of Mexico at No. 18. Panama dropped two spots to No. 33 while Honduras fell seven places to No. 40.
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What do you think of these rankings? Feel that the U.S. is the 15th best team in the world? Think they should be higher?
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