US ADVANCE THREE SPOTS IN FIFA RANKING David Smith - Wednesday, September 3, 2008
With a pair of 2010 World Cup qualifying games looming in the next week, the US climbed three spots to 28th in the latest FIFA World Rankings released on Wednesday.
An away victory over Guatemala was enough for the slight rise, however it failed to maintain the team's standing ahead of Mexico, who jumped from 32nd to 24th having notched up a win against CONCACAF's third-placed Honduras (#60 overall) to be the region's top-ranked team.
A pair of tough losses in friendly matches to traditional powerhouses England and Spain saw the US drop nearly ten spots over the summer, however expected success in the second round of World Cup qualifiers during the fall should continue the current reversal of the trend.
The next week sees Bob Bradley's men tested in Havana against Cuba and at home against Trinidad & Tobago, giving the team chances for a further ascent up the world governing body's monthly rankings.
European champions Spain maintained their place at the top for the third month in a row while Italy and Germany switched places traded places from the previous month's rankings to follow immediately behind.
Brazil, with the sixth spot, represents the top-ranked team outside of the European continent, while Cameroon is Africa's top representative, having leapfrogged England to sit at 14th.
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