Well think of it this way. Germany, Norway and Finland are good hockey nations and have some good to great players on their team. U.S.A's good talent, got out played by equally good talent. In the past the Americans have had even worse than this quality, but this team managed to keep it close each game by nations that have closed the gaps on countries "B" teams. Nothing to feel bad about, just win relegation and no worries. Lose relegation, you can call these players bums, because TEAM USA doesn't deserve relegation fate.
Good effort USA at least by the play call to at least give a game.
Too add more, I don't think you can say this team was poorly constructed or blame Burke. They worked with what they had. TSN, both commentators called this team a good team or a good potential young team. So your point is moot if you think this team has bad players.
I still think Burke/Poile gets some blame for this. There was next to no veteran leadership on this team, which I think hurt. Nobody aside from Clemmensen over 28. I think a guy like Modano, Cole, Rolston, etc. could have really helped in the locker room, although perhaps not as much on the scoreboard. Maybe be a calming factor for the young kids. Past teams have included vets like Jeff Halpern. There was next to no experience on the international level, and it showed.
And then they just didn't take enough offensive talent. Lots of young, hard working guys, but he needed some guys who could find the back of the net. Stafford and Stempniak are two guys who became available who could have helped in that area. And given the US still has available roster spots...not addressing either issue still falls on their shoulder.
Those were two very big weaknesses on the team, and while I appreciate the constraints Burke/Poile had to work with given the Olympics, players declining, and the fact that several good American players were still in the playoffs (not including Olympians--JVR, Gionta, Gomez, Leopold, Wheeler, Howard, Byfuglien, and I'm sure I'm forgetting some), the fact remains that the team still had glaring weaknesses.