Zachary Roth is right, Matt Yglesias is wrong:

Yglesias: More disturbing…in many ways, were the President’s remarks on the upcoming World Cup. We’re fielding a very strong team this year, and Bush is normally the master of nationalistic bluster — why couldn’t he muster a stronger vote on confidence in the squad?

Roth: This is misguided. Despite its (absurdly inflated) FIFA ranking, it’s a stretch to call Team USA “very strong.” Compared to previous US squads, they’re not bad, but that’s a low bar. In ’98 they lost all 3 games, including one to Iran. And the celebrated 2002 squad was flattered by its quarterfinal finish. It beat an over-rated Portugal, drew with South Korea, and lost 3-1 to Poland (!) before beating a mediocre Mexican team and losing to an uninspiring Germany.

Roth didn’t even mention some very iffy lineup choices made by boss Bruce Arena.

It looks like the President did not forget about Poland, and was right not to puff up Team USA’s chances. Especially when Old Europe is set to dominate. Viva France!