Yes, I think part of America's uneasy relationship with football is that it is the one major sport that they are not that competitive in. The average sports fan who is used to watching "world championships" of baseball, football etc. being played between two American teams is probably a bit uneasy with America's underdog status in football, especially when tiny countries like belgium are still beating them. There will always be a bunch of those fair weather fans who become interested in the domestic game after the tournament is over though. That's how soccer fandom has grown in the US over the last couple of decades and that's how it'll continue to grow.
I am rooting for France to win the whole thing. I like their football the best, they're a very balanced team. Physical and athletic engine room consisting of Matuidi and Pogba and a great football brain in Cabaye to keep things ticking. Creativity from the flanks in Valbuena. Goal scoring threats from multiple places.
The US needs a midfield that isn't afraid of being pressured a bit and can keep it's cool and maintain possession. That's probably one of the most frustrating aspect of their game. They just never looked sure footed enough to play that swift counterattacking game against Belgium.
True. At times the US looked like they had no midfield at all, the ball just seemed to go straight from their back 4/holding mids to the forward line 90% of the time with no short passing in between. This was actually a pretty effective strategy in the group stages and made for some exciting football but against better organized teams you really have to be able to play it around a bit and look for openings.
France, on the other hand have a really nice balance to their midfield and seem to be pretty confident and well drilled in defense and attack. Plus, they just look more comfortable in the style of football they're playing than any other team, which, for me, is usually what takes it at these international tournaments.