Clint Dempsey on USMNT vs. Belgium, Christian Pulisic & his favorite USMNT striker, featuring Brad Guzan LIVE in Atlanta

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0:45It's time to go to the football. Don't know if you've heard, but tomorrow night, the US men's national team will avenge or assemble here in the A.

0:57where we're going to beat ninth in the world Belgium right before we take on a Ronaldo less Portugal Tuesday night and to break it all down it's incredible to welcome to the stage a gent who I love, he's done it all seen it all, occasionally give it all a swift elbow in the down blows in the name of competitive fury 142 caps for the US men's national team. No man has scored more for their nation. It's my honour to take this live edition of The Juice with him in the flesh tonight. Let's welcome the Basasazin, the Nagadochis Nice. Giving Atlanta a welcome to our friend, Mr. Clint Dempsey!

2:04What's up, everybody?

2:10Hey, Raj. Hey. I appreciate y 'all. Thanks for my personalized copy. It's true. I love Clint. All right. I see you. Clint, always be selling. I see him. God bless. Clint, you're in there a lot. By the way, give me the book for one second. They asked me, who do I... All of this book is about memory, and there's a lot of Rodgers, some with hair on the cover. And then they asked me, who in the middle, like me now, what jersey do I want to be wearing? I said there can only be one answer. 2014, Clint Dempsey. Sir. In the Bottle Pop jersey. Yes, sir. Never a doubt, man. Appreciate you showing love, man.

2:51Man, you are that hero for so many of us, and I want to get right into it. USA, Belgium, when you hear those words, what's the first memory that comes to mind? Our last meet in 2014 World Cup. What's up? Yeah, exactly. He stood on his head, was on fire that game. But yeah, we got knocked out in the World Cup, so not good memories when I think back to the last time we played them. Is there a particular singular memory of that game? Because it was a surreal game. I don't like to be hyperbolic. It was like epic Greek poetry played out in the World Cup. Is there a memory of you on the field that you remember when you look back?

3:29There's a few. I remember the Wondolowski chants and if that went in, what would have happened? I remember I had a good chance in that game too. We had a set piece that we had worked on, and it worked out just how we drew it up. But Courtois did a great job of coming off his line, making himself big, and I wasn't able to convert. So those are the things you think about as missed chances. But all in all, it was a great honor to represent my country, to wear the captain's armband, to help us to play a part in getting us out of the group of deaths. So those are the things I'll think about. That night in Salvador did make Tim Howard.

4:09I mean, it, like, forged his legend. It was the last time we played Belgium. But I also remember May 2013, there was another game played right before the World Cup in Cleveland. It was a warm-up game. It was the first ever game that you were made captain. They beat us 4-2. You know who scored that night? Yep, got a penalty. That's right. That's all anyone remembers about this. There you go. He scored. Josie scored. Marouane Fellaini scored. That mad bastard. It was a massive warm-up game for us. A little bit like now. That was where we'd been playing CONCACAF teams. Suddenly we're like, okay, let's play the big boys.

4:46It was a reality check. We are 76 days away from the World Cup. Tomorrow night, Tuesday. These are massive games. Last two games before the squad's announced. You've been there. What does it feel like mentally within camp, inside for the players, the pressure on them to fight and prove that they're World Cup worthy? What's going through their mind there? Yeah, I mean, first of all, I'll say it's an exciting game for both Belgium and for the U.S., right? They're getting an opportunity, Belgium, to play on U.S. soil where the World Cup's going to be played and kind of get an idea of what that's going to be like.

5:21But then it's exciting for the U.S. because, you know, there's not a lot of meaningful games left and everybody's fighting for a place to book their ticket to go to this World Cup. So there's so much on the line, but you just got to go out and perform, right? You got to be hungrier than the guy that's next to you. And that's what these kind of last games are about, right? It's just like leaving your mark on these games so the coach, it makes it undeniable for him not to pick you, right? You've got to make them pick you, make them put you on that roster. And for me, it's really like your last chance is to do that.

5:51So that's why I look forward to these games, to see how these players are going to step up, especially the ones that are kind of on the fringe, right? I mean, it's amazing, by the way, what you've said about Belgium looking forward to this. I mean, it's fascinating watching France yesterday. was it Tua Mania after the game in Boston, say I played where Tom Brady played. Kevin De Bruyne is an enormous NBA fan. These players will get such a kick out of playing in your city, playing in this stadium. There is no doubt about it. But it is a fascinating dance for the players between showing themselves as individuals and trying to win as a collective.

6:28US unbeaten in the last five friendlies. We're seeing an improvement in results. We yearn for that. So many questions remain. 27 players in this camp. 26 spots on a World Cup squad. And we know there's big names who are missing out. Tyler Adams, Sergino Dest, Hadji Wright, not here. So let's go through the issues, challenges, the big questions, starting with always the starting point, Christian Pulisic, our lord and saviour, right? Big picture. Incredible season. Double-digit goals for AC Milan, but recently it's been more of a grind for Argent. Twelve games about scoring. It's been friction with his teammates, uncertainty about his next season, where he wants to play.

7:14You experience these kind of periods in your own career. In time of European club wonder, you've come back and represented the US. There were times for you that were also frustrating. What does Pochettino have to do to make the US team Christian's happy place? Well, I don't think he has to do that, right? You look back at Christian's time with Chelsea, and maybe he wasn't playing as much going into that last World Cup that you would want him to be playing. And he just seems to always step up when he puts on that jersey for the U.S. team. I mean, the way I would compare it is Thierry Henry on the Champions League show talking about when players put on the Real Madrid jersey, they seem to perform at a higher level.

7:57And I think that's the case for some of the players when they come back to the U.S. I mean, I think Christian, it seems to up his game. I think Gio, it ups his game as well. But it's one of those things that if it takes something to get you motivated to come back and represent your national team, then you're not doing it right, right? That was the greatest joy for me to come and represent my country as a kid. That's what I dreamed about, playing for my country on the biggest stage. So once that was kind of done, we didn't qualify in 2018, that's when I knew it was kind of time to hang the boots up because it wasn't there anymore.

8:31So I don't think it's a situation where they need to get motivated. Just go out there and do what you can do and control what you can.

8:41You mentioned Gio Reyna. Gio is here in camp. He's played 26 minutes total for his club in 2026. By the way, when I hear that, Gio Reynos played 26 more minutes than I have in this I'm like my hope for my future international career is renewed, why not me? Why not you? But he's an incredible singular creative, he's shown that when he wears a US jersey, he's almost like American James Rodriguez, when he pulls on that US jersey, it's like a Marvel comic hero coming alive can't get on the field for Borussia Mönchengladbach. Struggled to get on the field really in the past few seasons for his club.

9:27How do you understand why he got the call up and why he is so clearly still important for this US team? Well, when I think about this situation, it's one of the craziest situations that I've ever seen, right? A kid with so much talent, so much potential, you know, especially when you saw him at Dortmund and then picking up some of those injuries and stuff like that. I think it's kind of halted a little bit of his club play but you can't question what he's done for the national teams when he puts on that jersey especially in the CONCACAF Nations League his performances in those games in the semifinals and finals goals and assists so like you said he seems to take it to another level another gear when he's representing the national team and that's a reason why I think Pochettino brings him in but you still got to get this club situation thing figured out right 26 minutes is not enough.

10:24There's no way you can be enjoying your football if you're not playing week in and week out. That's what everybody wants to do. Hopefully things get better in that regard, but like you said, some people step up a little bit more when they put that jersey on for the US. Does it create a weird dynamic in camp? There's an exception to the rule. For one player, everybody's got to be playing regular minutes, but there's a contradiction. and 26 minutes total is okay because Gio, what you can do is different to the others. It's kind of one of those things where the coach is the one who's making those decisions.

10:59He's created the culture and he's doing what he thinks best to help his team be successful. And yeah, there's always going to be things that people are like, what about this? What about that? You know, maybe you don't really understand it, but at the end of the day, you can't worry about all that crap. You've got to focus on yourself and what you're doing to be the best that you can be and make sure when you get your opportunities to get on the field, you make a difference and make it where the coach has to play you. If you do those type of things, you ain't got to worry about all the politics and all these games.

11:30So I think that should be the main focus.

11:35Let's go and talk about one of the subjects I feel like we've been talking about for the last two cycles, which is who's America's next top American striker? In camp, we've got the East 3. Patrick Adjuman, leading Derby counter with 10 goals all competitions. Brings something a little different to the rest. I adore Ricardo Pepe as a footballer. I adore him as a human being. He's so inspirational. 13 goals all comes for PSV Eindhoven. And then you've got the incredible Flo Balogun. 15 goals all comes for Monaco. So, Klim, you scored a goal or two for the United States team who should start and who will Pocz start do you think?

12:15I mean I'm a big fan of Bolligan I like what he does I like to see more kind of the partnership and connections that him and Christian kind of have together and you know we got a little bit of taste of that in the last Copa America before you know we had the bad exit with the game versus Panama but I think we're going to learn a lot about these strikers and what Pochettino thinks is the players that he wants to go with as we look forward to the World Cup and how he's going to decide that roster. Obviously, big loss, not having had you right, to be in here to kind of fight it out and to see, you know, how things are going to go.

12:53You got the Belgium game and you got the Portugal game, right? So I think we're going to learn a lot about, you know, we're going to see the minutes that these players play and who he chooses to start and who's that first guy off the bench that comes in. So he's going to answer the question for us, right? I mean, I got love for Pepe because he's from Texas. You always got to show love to the boys where you're from. I've been impressed with the way that he continues to fight. He doesn't always start. He comes off the bench, and he makes an impact. And you need to have that type of mindset. When you get the minutes, you make the most of them.

13:26So that's why he kind of stands out to me. But, yeah. What do you like about it? You said, I like what I see in Flood Balligan. As a man who scores goals, what do you see when you're in the game? He is a complete striker, in my opinion. He can beat you on the dribble. He's good from outside the box. He can shoot with both feet. He can score with his head. I mean, he can assist. He has the pace to get into those dangerous areas that kind of remind me of, like, when I played with Obafem and Martins in Seattle. And when he gets past people or make those runs to open up the game for our team and then we're able, some of those late runners coming in the box, he's able to get his head up and find those players.

14:04So I think he just becomes just, he has a lot of, you know, dynamics to his game that I like. and I think it would be fun to play alongside him. God bless. God, there you are. That was come and pick me. It'd be fun to play alongside him. Clint's throwing his hat into the ring. Why not me? Hey. By the way. Hey, I haven't played 26 minutes, but you know what I mean? Absent from Cam, you mentioned him. His Coventry sizzler, Haji Wright, his goals have really propelled the team to the cusp of the Premier League. Out of injury, we have three strikers in this 27th human being squad. if we only take three of those four, Hadji, Flo, Baligan, Ricardo, Pepe, Patrick, Hadjeman, who would you leave out?

14:46Man, you're always trying to put me in these tough spots, bro. It's called a hot take. Hey, I'm not going to say nothing. Like I said, I think we're going to learn a lot from these next two games, who he sees as his top two guys that are in this camp, and then I think it's going to be up for grabs for that third spot. Clint Dempsey throwing hat in the ring. There's only two spots, really. Let's be candid. I want to talk about the defensive end. I mean, hey, they could take four strikers. You don't know what they're going to do. They could take four strikers. It's true. Clint plus three. I want to talk about...

15:20By the way, I'm not Clint's agent, but I'm kind of interested, to be candid. I want to talk about the defensive end in a second. But before we do, I've got to ask you quickly about Mauricio Pochettino. I mean, he is in, as US manager, I mean, he is in control. You know, he has asserted himself. the team's results, five straight games hitting their stride but at the same time it's continuously linked to major jobs in Europe and let's just say he's not exactly batted down these rumours he was asked about the Spurs job this week are there any Spurs fans here tonight?

16:01Why are you all shouting Goos? Goos was Aston Villa, oh my god There's several people. I just want the record to show there were more people doing the West Ham Irons in the crowd than there were Spurs fans. God bless. By the way, if I was here last year, I bet you there were loads of Spurs fans. And you were like, yeah, not anymore. I'm on the Bournemouth bandwagon now. But, I mean, ultimately, Pochettino said this when he was asked, do you want the Spurs job? And by the way, I just want to say, he could have said, I don't care about that right now. My mind is just on the US team and the World Cup.

16:39But instead, he said these words, I miss the world of football in England. I mean, you've been a player. I mean, I'm kind of fascinated. When you have a manager in that turmoil of tabloid headlines, his next step, his future, and that kind of turbulence, do players notice? I think there's a little bit of background there, noise that you can kind of hear and see. but I don't think it's going to deter them and their focus, the fact that they have a once-in-a-life opportunity to play a World Cup on home soil. I mean, that's the main focus. That's what you control. You go out and give your best and try to represent your country and try to do something special that will leave a legacy for other kids to come along and do something even more special.

17:25You think back to the 94 World Cup and the professional league that came about because of that, and who's to say what's going to happen after this one, right? I think we do have the quality that we could maybe do something special, like what you saw from South Korea being the host country and I think getting to a semifinals and doing something like that. But you can't worry about the things you can't control. And people are going to always position themselves to do what they think they need to do from a business standpoint. But as a player, just focus on what you've got in front of you, which is one of the biggest and best opportunities that you could ask for in a lifetime, and just go make the most of that.

18:02God willing

18:08I mean it's time to talk about the back line but to talk about how we're going to keep the goals out I think it's time we bring on a man who knows a thing or two about shutting a game down going to bring on a polar bear made 144 appearances for Aston Villa Football Club won 64 US caps and perhaps most memorably won an MLS title right here in the A One of my most joyful visions as a football fan was watching him bounce out of the back of the net like a power-balled many-faced god to laugh right back in Luis Suarez's big teeth grill. Bring on to stage with great joy. Cheer for Brad Guzan!

19:18All I need now are 26 minutes and I'm going to be playing for the US. There's an incredible kid here who I do think is going to be playing for the US. Hold on.

19:34Mark, my word, when you make the debut for the US in five World Cups time, people will be like, oh my God, that clip is mind-blowing. And it all started. There's so many good things to do with Goose. It's great to see you. It is incredible. Can we get another Goose for old times, Atlanta?

19:56Hey. Let's go, ATL. Let's go. Oh, this guy. He's big. He's tall. He's a motherfucking wall. Right here.

20:14How much are you paying to sing all this, bro? There's kids in the audience, you know? Come on now. By the way, Brad wrote that chant and he gets publishing. For every time it's chanted, he loves it. But let's dive right in. Got some serious stuff. The back line's going to be fascinating tomorrow. Heard Chris Richards. Sad news that he's out for both games, so there's real opportunities all over the place at centre-back. Pochettino talked today about even possibly having Tanner Tessman step in. But we've got to talk about the big question, Brad. Honestly, it's like looking in a mirror looking at Brad.

20:49Beautiful. bald and beautiful he's gorgeous he could be my son

20:57US is number one number one I mean it felt like Matt Freeze is Pochettino's guy he's been 12 straight games nice to have the Freeze family here tonight welcome but there's another Matt in town Matt Turner is back I do love this man not played in camp really fell down the Pochettino depth chart, I think last June was the last time he played. It was really chastening. 4-0 loss to Switzerland. But again, last cycle felt like Zac Steffen had the gloves. And then Matt came out late on the outside and was really one of the stars of the last World Cup. So when you cast an eye on this keeper wars, the battle between the Matts, Fries and Turner, professionally, what do you see?

21:44Yeah, I mean, when you look at the group, right, obviously there's There's four in camp, and Matt Freeze certainly has Pochettino's trust over the last 12 games, as you talked about. And those results, especially the last two in November, good results for the team, right, moving forward. And what you want most importantly is that confidence of whoever's going to be playing. You want the confidence not only for the individual, whoever's in goal, but you want the team to be able to look back there and say, yeah, we feel good about going into battle today and going into these games. I mean, the amount of times, right, you're looking back.

22:20You want your goalkeeper to have this confidence and belief in himself. And to have that belief in yourself, you need to have the belief from the manager. So for you two, who do you both believe will be the U.S. goalkeeper when we kick off the World Cup against Paraguay June 12th and White? Hey, louder. Let's go. Let's go. By the way, that was Matt Freeze's family that shouted goos as well. That's some complicated emotion. He'll be the starter. By the way, I love you. I watched you go after the Snow Classico with this man. Let's go. I remember it. You went down into the Azteca and shout out the Mexicans.