The men suck because the best athletes choose other sports. Having said that the US still has a much fitter and stronger team than average.
The other reason for sucking is that as kids they only really ever play at prearranged practice sessions. The rest of the world, kids are randomly playing wherever and whenever they can, plus going to practice.
As a kid I'd go school early just to kick a ball around, again during break(recess), again during lunch and again after school. So played roughly 3 hours a day off my own back and I'm someone who didn't actually like the game much.
True.
Also most Latin American countries play soccer year round, with no breaks.
The kids start playing at 4-5 years old and play year round.
Like in Mexico and Venezuela, most boys ages 5-18 absolutely live to play soccer, they play every single day for hours.
It's in their blood from a young age.
American's are more into different sports throughout the year, most LA countries have soccer, baseball and a little basketball, that's it. The Mexican kids make fun of the basketball players, call them sissys, etc.