Welcome to “From Kuba to Qatar: Rebuilding USMNT.” athletic A new podcast series about the first-hand story of the long journey the US Men’s National Team went from failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup to sending a talented young team into this year’s tournament.
Deeper
Introducing the New USMNT Audio Series: From Cuba to Qatar
In Episode 5, hosts Paul Tenorio and Sam Steiskal look at how the pressure in Qatar affects results on the real field and ask: Voices in the episode include US Star Gio Reina, USMNT head his coach Greg Berhalter, US football legend Clint his Dempsey, and more.
USMNT legend Damarcus Beasley on the team’s recent friendly against Japan and Saudi Arabia:
“I don’t care about the sides. Yes, were they very bad? Of course. Honestly, I don’t think it matters. These sides, they mean nothing. World Cup favorites.” You look at some of the best countries and none of them are playing well.England,Germany,Spain,France.Look at the French team.They aren’t playing well either,so these friendly A game like… means nothing. When the World Cup comes around, it becomes a different ball game.”
Nashville SC and USMNT defender Walker Zimmerman on team expectations for Qatar:
“Without exception, it is – we are out of the group. And when we got our backs up against the wall and we had to win the game, or else it was over. , we succeeded, so let’s pass on that spirit, let’s go out and face it.” Anyone who can” takes one game at a time and goes as far as he can. I don’t think there’s a set that says, ‘Oh, if we make it to the quarterfinals,’ or whatever it is, it’s going to be successful. “No, I expect to win this game. I don’t care who I play against. I expect to win this game.”
USMNT Manager Greg Berhalter said of his team’s approach to the World Cup:
“We just split the tournament into two tournaments. There is a group stage and a knockout stage, and to qualify to play in the knockout stage you have to finish in the top two of your group. And that’s a fair expectation.” I think it’s a great challenge to say to this group, “OK, you should leave the group.” A difficult group, right? England, Wales, Iran. Wales will have a very difficult game. A very compact high-level player doesn’t give up too much. England, probably a World Cup favorite, he’s close to one, Iran will be a physically difficult opponent but I think they can get out of the group. Then for me it’s about how do you play in the next game, right? How do you play a really good game to get to the next round and how do you keep at it. not. He is one game at a time. I think that’s how you see it. Don’t think, “Is this the quarterfinals or the semifinals?” It’s just one game. how to proceed “
READ MORE: Learn more about Episodes 1, 2, 3, and 4 of “From Cuba to Qatar: Rebuilding the USMNT.”
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