Picture This: U.S. Men's Soccer Team Picks Up Top 10 Ranking
Ready or not, here comes the U.S. men's soccer team. And whoever thought we'd be sayig that?
But it's true. For the first time in since the 2006 World Cup, the U.S. men are ranked in the top 10. That's 15 long years, folks. And every last soul who played for the U.S. back then is now retired.
The Americans' impressive push came when they topped Mexico 1-0 in the Gold Cup final at the start of August. Per ESPN, "both teams' progression in that tournament has paved the way for an impressive rise in the official list."
So what does it really mean to be ranked in the top 10? Well, for starters, it theoretically gives you an easier path in the World Cup, slated for late November 2022 in Qatar.
"Their World Ranking placing will be key ahead of next year's World Cup, as it will be used to seed the draw pots for the finals," ESPN wrote. "If the U.S. can remain inside the top 10, it will have a chance of being seeded and being handed a more favorable draw, avoiding other nations within the top 10 of the ranking."
So there you have it. The U.S. men's soccer team. Once everybody else's homecoming game. And now ranked in the top 10. Do you believe in miracles?
OK, maybe "miracle" is overselling it. But you get the point. Men's soccer in the United States is back, and perhaps better than ever.