Would some humiliation help the US in the long run? I think it would certainly help to play the big powers more often. You only get better by playing in a higher-level environment. But seeing our boys get smacked around might drive the US fan base away from the game in favor of sports that the US is master of, like basketball. That seems like a weak excuse though. I say bring on the hurt. It’s the only way to improve.
Mexico have always competed in Copa America, and the USA are going to be in that competition again this year. This is the Americas answer to the Euro championships, but I’ve not yet been able to figure out the formula for when they have it. Used to be about every 3 years, now every 2? One would think they’d have it on the even year cycle that didn’t contain the World Cup.
Also, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, Japan and Mexico all competed in the 2005 Confederations Cup, which was held in Germany as a precursor to the World Cup. Germany, Greece and Tunisia rounded out that field. I’m guessing Germany was in as host, Greece as the defending Euro champ, Brazil auto-qualified as World Champion, so Argentina got a spot as runner-up. I’m not sure if Mexico had won the previous Gold Cup (CONCACAF champions) or they took Mexico because they qualified ahead of the USA in 2002. Mexico did quite well in that tournament, beating both Brazil and Japan and drawing Greece in group play, before losing to Argentina in the semis, on penalty kicks, after a 1-1 draw at the end of regulation and no goals in OT.