I respectfully disagree. Also look at Paraguay in the last world cup. Soccer is not all athleticism. Its a factor for sure - but one of many. I disagree with the notion that if Kobe/Lebron played soccer their whole lives they would dominate. The thing missing from this country regarding soccer is that it's not a sport you pickup 20 guys or even 10 guys and go set up the pug goals and have at it. This is slowly changing though. It is gaining exposure as well as popularity. Bringing the EPL to NBC next season will only help more.
Go to Europe/South America/ Africa etc and you will find kids playing pickup futbol. In the U.S. not so much. Often times the deft touch and skills that are picked up and crafted happen in informal settings. Those chemistry building characteristics are no different than the ability to get a good game of hoops really anywhere- even in podunk USA.
Additionally we are turning into a more contemporary society with more concern over the physicality of some sports. Soccer is slowly becoming the sport of choice among many youths .. at least to start with. It has a ways to go to gain more popularity but the advantage of being such a large country with a huge support base for athletics means we have the benefit of a larger pool of athletes to take up soccer. Who is to say some of the USMNT aren't some of the best athletes in the country?
Watching way too much soccer the past decade - these past couple of years, more so than any other time recently there is more parity. The gap is smaller. There is still a gap for sure but I think you are over playing it - respectfully.
