USA 1-2 Ghana

Aside from the obviously blown penalty call, I think Eric Wynalda was spot on when he criticized Arena's tactics after the game. He should have been playing a more attacking formation, one with more of a sense of urgency. Having Brian McBride as the lone forward in a game you can't lose was ridiculous.

Bottom line is the USA didn't look very good and definitely didn't live up to the SI/ESPN hype machine. To really become a consistent power in the World Cup, they need to get more players playing in Europe, and on big clubs; the national side is never going to be truly good until the players start playing world class talent week in and week out. As it is now, half the team play in the MLS, which is roughly comparable to the English Championship (second division). That won't get it done in the short term. It'll take some time, and American players will have to be less xenophobic about going abroad to learn the game.

The fact that they play in the weak CONCACAF inflates their FIFA ranking and gets American fans who don't follow the sport all excited. With his long tenure an anomaly, I Arena will be replaced sooner rather than later. They should bring in a big name European or South American coach to take over. Someone more in touch with European styles (as the Brazilians all play in Europe now).