If keeper were the most important position, wouldn't the US team do better? We produce more good keepers than anything else.

Keepers can certainly steal a game (see Oliver Kahn against the US in the World Cup quarterfinals) and they are one of the most important. I guess it depends on how you think about it. It's probably impossible to win consistently at a high level with a mediocre keeper, but if you can't score or defend, the best keeper in the world can't save you.

I'll take a great center-midfielder anytime. I don't think any position can dominate a game like a great center-mid. A guy like Zidane can practically carry a whole team - like he did in the 2006 semi.

Perhaps I'm being biased, because the U.S. never seems to able to produce anyone decent at that position.