SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras -- It was arguably the high-water mark in U.S. Soccer's 100-year history. In 2009, in this very city, the men's national team beat Honduras to qualify for its sixth consecutive World Cup, capping off a year in which it again finished ahead of Mexico in the CONCACAF standings, upset top-ranked Spain in the semifinals of the Confederations Cup, then nearly followed it up with an even more shocking win against Brazil in the tourney final.
Four years later, as the U.S. begins the last leg of its journey to another World Cup here against the Catrachos on Wednesday afternoon, many still consider that 2009 U.S. team the best of all time. But was it really better than the current squad?
To see the rest of the blog comparing the 2009 and 2013 U.S. national teams, plus to get access to all of Insider's soccer coverage, you must be an ESPN Insider.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
-
U.S. National Soccer Team Blog
We're your regular source for all the inside info on the U.S. national team. Whether it's breakdowns of player pool developments, news and notes from the club soccer world and its impact on the American side, or game coverage, we'll bring you consistent, exclusive access and insight. Contact us with comments and tips at ESPNUSSoccerblog@gmail.com.
-
Doug McIntyre
Doug McIntyre has watched or attended almost every U.S. national team game since Paul Caligiuri's "shot heard 'round the world" in 1989. He is a staff writer for ESPN The Magazine and has covered American and international soccer since 2002.
- USMNT Depth Chart
Who are the top four players at every position? - Top 25 American players
Who are the best U.S. players right now? - Top 25 U.S. U-21 prospects
Who are the top young players for the U.S.? - The Brazil Board
What will Team USA look like in 2014?