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SLIGHT DROP: U.S. fall into 5th-place tie in FIFA rankings

May 17, 2006

Coach Bruce Arena's U.S. National Team dropped a place from fourth to fifth in the latest FIFA rankings.

With less than a month remaining before the kickoff of the World Cup, the United States dropped from fourth into a fifth-place tie with Spain in the last FIFA rankings prior to the tournament in Germany.

CONCACAF rival Mexico (758) jumped over the Americans (756) as the neighbors to the south did not gain or lose any points. The U.S, which played Jamaica to a disappointing 1-1 draw in Cary, N.C. on April 1, lost four points.

The latest ranking won't affect anything for the World Cup and coach Bruce Arena is expected to downplay the rankings as well, as he done so many times in the past.

The U.S. will take on the Czechs in its WC opening match in Gelsenkirchen, Germany on June 12.

Brazil (827) remained atop the rankings, followed by the Czech Republic (772) and the Netherlands (768).

Portugal (750) climbed a spot to seventh place, France (749) dropped a place to eighth, Argentina (746) fell from eighth to ninth and England (741) remained at No. 10.

Among the top 50 teams, Slovakia (41st) and World Cup qualifiers Australia (42nd), Serbia & Montenegro (44th) and Ghana (48th) moved up two places apiece.

The next ranking will be published on July 12, three days after the World Cup final in Berlin.

1 (1) Brazil, 827 points.

2 (2) Czech Republic, 772.

3 (3) Netherlands, 768.

4 (6) Mexico, 758.

5 (5) United States, 756.

5 (5) Spain, 756.

7 (8) Portugal, 750.

8 (7) France, 749.

(9) (8) Argentina, 746.

10 (10) England, 741.

106 (104) Haiti, 447. Down two spot