1.) The US has played Mexico 47 times, not 4. The US' overall record is 10 wins, 28 losses, and 9 draws, but most of Mexico's damage was done long ago. Since 1990, the US is 8-6-6, and has won five of the last six matches. That said, Mexico was indeed favored over the US, as Mexico had been playing brilliantly and the Americans receive absolutely no respect worldwide.
2.) The US has 11 European-based players on its 23 man roster. 7 of them are regular starters for top-division clubs; the other four either play for lower-division sides or are reserves for big clubs.
3.) The flame-outs of the "big countries" (France, Italy, Argentina) has little to do with them having "pampered" players (virtually every World Cup team, even the small ones, is made up of incredibly well-paid athletes) and everything to do with the injuries to key French players, Argentina playing in the "group of death" and Italy having to play South Korea in South Korea.
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