The article on CNN mentions that the US has the largest FIFA television audience and that because of their banking, tax, and regulations, they have a long arm essentially.
I understand where the capabilities come from, my curiosity here is more in the motivation. The U.S. has a lot of capabilities that they don't exercise, what put FIFA into the crosshairs on this one? (beyond the allegations of wrongdoing)
I expect it is simply that the evidence indicated substantial financial corruption, and bribery with loss of tax revenue. Taxman is what really gets governments pissed off.
I have no doubt there are similar patterns of corruption in other sports, but the financial impact is probably not as big.
