Competing in the CONCACAF region, the U.S. Men’s National Team sometimes find themselves in a difficult spot. Bar Mexico, who are the unquestioned class of the division, the U.S. are routinely the next best team. But they are also substantially more competent than any others.
The quality of teams in CONCACAF play is poor. You just have to see how easily Mexico and the USMNT consistently make the Gold Cup final to notice as much. But because the U.S. are a part of the CONCACAF region, they have to play these teams more frequently than those outside of it.