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ZURICH, Switzerland -- The United States improved to No. 6 in FIFA's rankings Wednesday, the Americans' best showing in the monthly ratings by soccer's governing body.

The Americans, who will play in this week's CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinals, had never been ranked higher than seventh. They were 10th last month, but passed France, England, Portugal and Spain to move within one spot and three points of rival Mexico.

World Cup champion Brazil remained No. 1, and Argentina improved one spot to second. The Netherlands was third, and the Czech Republic dropped from second to fourth.