CHICAGO (July 20, 2005) - Just one day ahead of the team's semifinal showdown with Honduras in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the U.S. Men's National Team received some good news on Wednesday with their highest ever position in the FIFA World Rankings. Coming on the heels of a six-week stretch in which the U.S. has won two World Cup qualifiers in convincing fashion and moved undefeated through their continental championship, the team is now positioned sixth in the world. The U.S moved up four spots in the latest ranking, behind a top five list that includes Brazil, Argentina, the Netherlands, Czech Republic and Mexico, in that order. Published once a month since 1993, the FIFA World Rankings have become a water-cooler topic for fans from around the world. The USA's previous highest ranking was a one-month stint at No. 7 back in July of 2004. The U.S. has also held the No. 8 ranking, once each in 2002 and 2004. Rank Team +/-Rank Pts: Jul 05 +/-Pts: Jun 05
1 Brazil 0 846 17
2 Argentina 1 787 2
3 Netherlands 1 781 -2
4 Czech Rep. -2 778 -12
5 Mexico 1 768 9
6 USA 4 765 21
7 France -2 749 -16
8 England -1 744 -13
8 Spain 1 744 -3
10 Portugal -2 739 -16
11 Germany 10 723 28
12 Turkey 2 716 -3
13 Japan 5 715 5
14 Italy -3 713 -12
15 Iran 2 711 0
15 Ireland 0 711 -3
17 Sweden -5 710 -12
18 Uruguay 0 703 -7
19 Denmark -3 698 -15
19 Greece -6 698 -22
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