Looking into some info relating to Project 2010's goal of being a "contender" to lift the World Cup by 2010, I found some interesting info... https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3684362&postcount=1 And it made me wonder just where my fellow BSers see the US in 2010.
I'm not sure what Italy has done to be considered elite. Also your tiers are not very specific. Is the first tier the top three and the second tier being top ten teams?
The amount of young talent arising in the US is astounding. I hope for nothing less than the top tier; however, I won't be complaining if we're ranked among the likes of England