'They're really tough.' U.S. takes solace in earning respect despite World Cup exit.
AL RAYYAN, Qatar — The U.S. national team started play in the World Cup two weeks ago with two objectives.
"We came into this World Cup with the goal of winning it," defender Walker Zimmerman said.
OK, that one was probably a bit unrealistic.
But the second goal was arguably the more important one, especially with the World Cup returning to the U.S. in four years. And that one, the players argued, they achieved.
"We had a common goal four years ago, a mission that we set out on, which was to change the way the world views
