This Is The Best We Can Do For Now, And That's Fine

So the US has made the knock-out stage (as it almost always does in the modern era, when it makes the tournament to start with) and will likely get beat by an objectively stronger Dutch squad.  Berhalter has done a fine job with a talented but limited squad.  (When hasn't a U.S. squad ever had trouble actually scoring goals?)

So kudos to the team.  You are at least one of the best 16 units in the world, more likely the 10th or 11th best.  (As good as England, let's say.)  (Edit: Better than Belgium, LOL.)

But can we please skip the ritual hara-kiri this year?  And throwing Berhalter out the window?

Soccer is one of the few sports in the world where the U.S. remains a medium fish in a very big pond.  If this ever changes, it will be cultural and social in nature.  And it will take multiple generations if it ever happens.

Why can't we just appreciate what we have?