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Excellent. I just hope Argentina fields a legit squad and not some U-23 team like Brazil sent to the Gold Cup a few years back...

L-dUBbz | 03/28/08, 07:47 AM

I think this is a great idea, but how in the world are Argentina #1 right now? Don't get me wrong, they are a very good team, but the FIFA rankings are just plain out stupid. They are trying to tell me that Argentina can outplay Italy, Germany, and Brazil. Nope, don't think so. Heck they couldn't even beat an undermanned Brazil squad last year at the Copa America, with virtually a full squad. I say we get rid of those stupid rankings. Heck, the freaking United States was ranked 5th heading into the World Cup, and we all know how that turned out. FIFA is screwed up. And Argentina just played an awful match against Egypt in a friendly. That was with only European-based players, but still they played awful. All I'm saying is that Argentina isn't that good, they are good, but not #1. Not even cloae in my opinion. The only way I could consider them as the best team in the world is if Lionel Messi and Juan Roman Riquelme both get hot and are scoring goals left and right. They are the true players on the Argentina side.

Keeper | 03/28/08, 08:04 AM

I don't know how Argentina are # 1 either. I agree about the FIFA rankings. I do disagree however that Messi and Riquelme are the "true players," especially Messi given that he has yet to string together a solid stretch of dominant play internationally. In my opinion versatile midfielders and defenders like Mascherano, Cambiasso, Maxi Rodr??guez, Heinze, Milito and Zanetti, not to mention the reliabilty of Crespo and Abbondanzieri and a seemingly endless bench is what truly makes this team uniquely dangerous. I still believe they are contenders for the World Cup but after the Copa America I don't see how they can be considered superior to Brazil.

dynamic | 03/28/08, 08:52 AM

Although I will concede that Riquelme is the "true player" in that he represents the heart and soul of the squad and his ability to play in tight spaces makes the offense operate efficiently. Not so sold on Messi because he has yet to make as large an impact on the team as he does with Real Madrid, although he hopefully will after he recovers.

dynamic | 03/28/08, 08:56 AM

Excuse me Barcelona...but all those Euro clubs are the same to me lol

dynamic | 03/28/08, 08:57 AM

Keeper-The fifa rankings are a joke.

I'm glad that we're scheduling these games, it can only make us stronger.

MSFC3221 | 03/28/08, 08:58 AM

Ya this oughta be good.

Stauff Nation TB | 03/28/08, 09:48 AM

The FIFA rankings are a joke. How does Italy win the World Cup and finish atop their group for the Euro Championships qualifying and not remain the #1 team in the world?

I wish I was a part of Fan Nation to discuss how the Euro Championships seeded their tournament for June. How does Italy not recieve a seed as the defending World Cup Champion?

I'm begining to understand that you should not to pay attention to the World Rankings, much like the BCS doesn't provide the best Championship game and the are as worthless as ranking college sports teams anytime before a quarter of the season is over and gone.

FrontPage 8 | 03/28/08, 10:49 AM

I think it's a good idea to not only give our team experience heading into WC qualigying and eventually the World Cup, but wth confidence high after Oland, allow our national team to get some respect by having a chance to put up a good fight, hopefully. We may even shock the world once again.

I'm pretty sure Argentina will be missign some top players, I'm not sure all of Messi, Tevez, Riquelme, and others will show though.

The World Rankings are a joke for sure, but the reason Italy is no longer #1 is the fact they've lost a lot of games since the World Cup to other teams, like Spain for example, and are no longer the same team that competed in 06 in terms of players, coaches, and chemistry.

But I'm not sure Argentina should be #1 though.

jeevs BS | 03/28/08, 12:26 PM

Ya the world rankings are definately FUBAR.

The top 8 teams (Argentina, Brazil, Italy, Spain, Germany, Czech Republic, France) could definately be moved around in seeding but I think represent the top 8 teams.

But when you have teams like Greece, Romania, Scotland, Cameroon, Turkey, Bulgaria, Colombia, Israel, Cameroon, Paraguay, Norway, and Russia seeded ahead of the USA... thats complete and utter BS.

I guess USA got a nice slap on the wrist for their disappointing performance in the Worldcup but common...

Arsenal69 | 03/28/08, 03:29 PM

I have to see Riquelme. Riquelme is the last of a dying breed.

Big Chaco | 03/28/08, 09:24 PM

I got a good feeling for the next world cup for Team usa.

Underdog Champion | 03/29/08, 08:35 AM

I'm going to keep in line with everyone else and say that this is good for the US. I'm excited for more friendlies against top teams (England, Spain, Argentina, hell ya) and I feel that no matter what the rankings head-to-head match-ups are the only way to get a real #1. Thanks to Arsenal69 for letting us know some of the other teams ahead of the US. I could see some of the Europe teams and Brazil and Argentina being ahead of the US, but Paraguay, Colombia (which might stop playing international competitions if their political and drug issues aren't resolved, but that's another topic), Cameroon, and Bulgaria?! Did Bulgaria make it to Euro '08? No, neither did Norway or Scotland. Did Cameroon win the Afican Cup of Nations? No, Egypt did (second straight). But that just more proof that FIFA can't do rankings worth a d*mn.

TM Chill | 03/29/08, 05:00 PM