Well simply put, for the point values of most of them, it would be much easier to pick other characters. I specifically use the SF set simply the TA makes them competitive even though aside from Ryu/Guile, they severely lack ranged attacks/functions.
It just seems silly that they can't make a close combat action, but can make a close combat attack. "I could stab you with my sword, or... I could punch you. Yeah that second one sounds just as great as the first option."

"Silly" is open for interpretation.

Anyway, this is a forum for official answers, not for discussing how we think effects SHOULD work.

The official answer is that the SF mechanic works exactly like every similar mechanic before it. It says that you can make a close combat attack, so that's all you can do.

Well I was under the impression that until the "Final Word" was posted, that it was still open for interpretation.
Suppose I should lurk moar.

The Final Word forum mostly covers issues of ambiguity and errata. In the case of the Street Fighter Team Ability there is neither. That doesn't necessarily mean that there won't be a final word entry at some point for the sake of completeness, but it's not strictly needed.