Clint Dempsey on USMNT’s Knockout Clash with Bosnia and Herzegovina: The Deuce, Presented by Allstate 06/30/26

0:00You're listening to the Men in Blazers Media Network, Suboptimal Radio.

0:15United States round of 32, electric boogaloo. Group stages, just a distant memory. This is business time. Knockout football, state of the World Cup in which United States men have only ever won a single game. game in our entire history. I don't know either. So here we go. Bosnia and Herzegovina, a team of destiny in their own right who cannot and should not be underestimated. I, like thousands of you, are so excited for this game. It's a first of its kind World Cup round of 32 edition of The Juice presented by Allstate. I'm joined by US men's soccer's most beloved human of all time. It's the Bass Assassin.

0:55It's the one and only Mr. Clint Dempsey. What's up, Raj? How you doing? Clint, can I just tell you, how are you doing? Like, we are in this. I think we're on day 87 of the World Cup. You are on my screen, both so much and in my heart, not enough. It's wonderful. It's a grind. How are you feeling it? I mean, it's been fun. It's been an exciting ride. But at the same time, like you said, it's been a grind. A little bit tired from working and travel. But, hey, that's first world problems. I think we're doing all right. We're doing all right, man. And I will say both of us look absolutely like we've just been on the losing end of a bar fight.

1:33But you should see the other guy. And this episode of The Juice made possible by our great friends at Allstate. We're so proud to team up with a brand that's committed to growing the game we love in the nation we adore. Wednesday, we're playing two teams at the same time. Never wise. Bosnia and Herzegovina in San Francisco. And like Turkey, Bosnia made it into this tournament through the qualifying play-ins. They beat Italy, unlike Turkey. They worked out how to win points in key moments in their group. They executed with maturity. What do you see when Bosnia play? How do you assess them, their strengths, their weaknesses?

2:09I mean, they're just a team that has a lot of character. If they get knocked down, they're going to get back up. They got grit, they fight, but also they have moments where they can produce quality. So it's one of those things that you've learned from this tournament that anything can happen. So you can't get overconfident or you can't be, you know, thinking that you don't have a chance when you see stuff like Paraguay beating Germany. You start to see these major upsets happening. And like it just makes you think that like some of these big teams start going out. The Netherlands and the Orange Army are out, even though Morocco, I think, was favored in terms of their recent success.

2:51African Cup of Nations getting to the semifinal of the last World Cup. But when you start seeing these big teams go out, I mean, even Japan, they're a team that could have easily beat Brazil. It could have been anybody's day because it was kind of a tale of two halves in that game as well. So that's why we watched the World Cup. It's so exciting. You don't know what's going to happen, and you don't know what version that you're going to get. Are you going to get Paraguay from the U.S. game, or are you going to get Paraguay from the Germany game? two different teams, but at the same time, the same.

3:24So that's what's exciting about this World Cup. And that's why I look forward to watching it because when your back's against the wall and you have that pressure, it's who deals with that pressure best. And it's a different tournament when you get into the knockout rounds because it's like in the group stage, you know, you have other games that you can correct it. Once you get into the knockout, you got to be at your best. So true, man. And who's growing into this tournament? Again, what you were in that first game, it doesn't matter. Yeah, we beat Paraguay 4-1, but they've evolved. They've learned.

3:56They've grown into this thing. They built in Brazil too, by the way. Poor first game, growing slowly into this tournament. And that's what we've got to remember. And Bosnia, they've grown into this tournament. They remind me like old school NBA heads, like the Charlotte Hornets of the 1990s when they had Alonso Mourning and Larry Johnson, Grandmama. It was like they weren't going to win the whole bloody thing, but on their day, they had players who could just go off and hurt you. And we've got to be super aware. Bosnia, Edin Dzeko, you know, you got a little more than an hour apiece against Qatar in Switzerland.

4:32You played against him back in your Fulham days. He arrived at Manchester City. He's now 40 years young and still going and still delivering for every team he's on. When you watch him, what do you see, attacker to attacker, and you think about what's left in this game that could pose a real danger to our backline? I mean, maybe he's not at his best in terms of his prime, but he's hungrier than ever. I mean, you saw him get subbed in the last game, being upset about that and wanting to be on the pitch. And in certain moments, he has that quality that he can change a game. And when he's on the pitch, it's like anything can happen.

5:13And you probably feel that sense of energy from even their fan base when they're watching the game. And let's just say he subbed on to make a difference. People still believe that he can and he still believes that he can. So when you have that type of an option to come off the bench or even start the game, all you need is one chance and he can hurt you. So that's what he has. And that's what's scary if you're on the other side of that. You have to always be aware of where he's at and to make sure that he's not able to punish you. He's the emotional soul of that team. But the hero of Bosnia's qualifying campaign, actually American-born, 21-year-old Esmir Bayraktarovic, born in Appleton, Wisconsin, developed in the New England Rebs Academy, plays for PSV now, a man who scored the clutch penalty against Italy in the playoff final, got them here.

6:07He's featured in all three of Bosnia's games. He's tricky. He's a dynamic attacking force. He can hurt you on the dribble. When I watch him, I'm sure they've been watching Arda Goula's game film when he destroyed us in moments last game. They laugh and they call him the Milwaukee Messi, which I love. Clint, a player like this, a player who is like a piano player, often playing amongst piano carriers, how do you deal with a human being like that? Is it secret to just man-mark a player like that out of the game? Well, first off, it's one of those things where you got to take your hat off to him because, you know, maybe wasn't given the opportunities.

6:46People didn't truly see his quality. For the U.S., you mean? You weren't really brought into national team camps and you go where you're wanted, right? And then you make the most of that and you continue to grow in confidence and you use that as motivation. So he's in a unique opportunity to show what we missed out on, right? And you've seen that with other players, whether it be Latin players that have gone on. They were born here, gone on to play for Mexico. So someone else is... Yeah, exactly. So maybe you didn't see the quality in him, but somebody else did. So he's in a position now to use that chip that he has on his shoulder from not being selected to hurt this U.S.

7:32side and to show what they kind of missed out on. So it'll be interesting to watch that battle in midfield because I feel like our midfield has been really strong for us, whether it's Tyler Adams, Malik Tillman or Weston McKinney. I just feel like they're interchanging up positions, their ability to be box to box. I think that's where the game is going to be won. And I look forward to seeing that battle with the Bosnian midfield as well. I agree. By the way, he did make one full national team appearance for the US back in 2024. But what you've said is true. You go where you are wanted. His mindset is going to be fascinating to want to hurt us and prove his own individual point.

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8:52To the football, to more together courage. You're right, the way we interchange, the way we move, the way we create space, the way we run. Amazing statistic. United States led the distance run in the group stages. This is amazing. The United States run 119.54 kilometers. I should have changed these to miles for my audience. But, you know, I've slept three hours in about the past four days. Interesting also, these names that also ran far, not a lot of them are still with us. Germany, 118.85 kilometers. Turkey, 116.94 kilometers. And you look at this Bosnia team, and if it was a weakness, they do seem to lack blistering speed.

9:37They've had a little extra travel also. They opened their tournament in Toronto. The fatigue, the heat, the moving around, which we've actually had to do very, very little of. I agree with you, man. When I look at what our unique singularity advantage is here, I do look at our athleticism, our conditioning. That can really make a difference in this tournament, right? No, for sure. I just think that you've seen the levels of players rise. also with that home field advantage that they've created. And I've always known McKinney box to box, Tyler Adams box to box, but Tillman has really added more to his game in terms of his mobility.

10:18I mean, he was all over the pitch, especially against Australia. You could see him even at the end of the game, getting forward on the left-hand side, almost got an assist to Hadji Wright. Just been really impressed with the work that he does defensively, also tracking back and covering for, let's just say, an Anthony Robinson at times. So we've done a great job in terms of the pathway and being able to stay on the West Coast. We've been able to deal with great conditions to play in in terms of the weather and in terms of the lack of travel to make us the most fresh that we possibly can be. That also with having the extra days now in the new World Cup format of six days, also added with the hydration breaks now.

11:04It's almost like we're playing basketball with four quarters every game, whether it's the 20-minute mark, halftime, the 66-minute mark or whatever. So it's been interesting, but I think it's only played to our advantage and allowed us to keep that pressure on teams. It'd be interesting to see, though, like the U.S. and how they approach the next game versus Bosnia. Do they do it similar to Paraguay and Australia? It was really noticeable for me, more so in Australia, is just how we spread out that midfield to cause them to kind of maybe spread out a little bit more and whether or not we can play through the middle or at the same time still get you in the channels where we saw Baligan create that own goal against Australia or in the Paraguay game, got the own goal when Christian was able to cross it.

12:00And then every game we started really well, even Turkey. He sets his team up like berserkers. Even the second string, they're just going on. They want to blow the doors off. Second half too. First half, second half. He sends them out to go mad. No, for sure. Because I think they know that they can reset at the hydration break, right? And then you can even do a tactical analysis, show them the laptop if you need to, which, you know, for me, I don't love the hydration break in the sense of how long it takes being three minutes. I would rather it be like one minute. People run on the you have one trainer go on the field with water to make it more of a quick process.

12:40Don't get me wrong. I understand the conditions in the States in the summer. It's going to be hot. It does get really hot. It does get humid. Players have played a lot of games. So you want to look out for the best interest of those players. But for me, you shouldn't be able to, it shouldn't be three minutes. I just think it eats up too much time for the viewer. How many commercials can you get into? Yeah, yeah, for sure. Come on, we need the full four minutes, 20. I'm not going to argue with it. We're going to see Christian Pulisic at least three times every, and maybe two David Beckham commercials.

13:11Otherwise, football just doesn't feel like football. A few Zlatans commercial hits. By the way, the boys, Chris Richards came on and said how much they laugh when they're watching the games and Christian Pulisic comes on and is like, play you for an ultra. I don't know what it's like in your studio when a Zlatan commercial comes on, but it's probably something very similar. You mentioned Tillman. He's not just playing well. He's got a complete confidence in a US jersey that he didn't have even 18 months ago. He feels like he's a leader. He feels like it's his team. That's one of the biggest changes that I've seen.

13:51He doesn't question himself. It's like he feels completely at home in this thing. And it's going to be crucial because this game is going to be like 11 US jet skis against a very large Bosnian battleship, a Balkan collective fist. They're going to sit back. They're going to be in a low block. It's going to be like an NFL dime package, just prevent defense. We're going to have to pull them out of their defensive shell. the qualities you need as a player to break down that low block and which US player you think will be the key to picking that lock. Just to hit on Tillman before I talk about that, I mean, he really kind of broke into the team more so, I think, in Gold Cup.

14:27Yeah. And then now you've seen him break into the strongest 11 that we've had, right? And put his kind of stamp on things. And you could see after the Australia game how Pochettino went up to him and hugged him, how much he values what Tillman's bringing to the table now. You know what I'm saying? And how he's kind of elevated his game. He's always been good on the ball. He's always been good in the attack. But the work that he does defensively, the amount of running that he's putting in, it just makes that midfield more dynamic with McKinney and Adams. But going to what you're saying about how they're going to break them down, you've got to mix up your game.

15:08You've got to spread them out. You got to move the ball quickly. You got to get overloads on the wing, whether it's McKinney going over with Dest and giving goes and taking players on 1v1. And once you beat them, whipping the ball in with, you know, the opposition facing their own goal or when you win the ball in transition, not letting them, you know, when they try to attack and then they lose the ball and you win the ball. It's how quickly you can break the lines and find them not in their shape to take advantage of that. And with the speed and pace of which we attack, like, can you imagine, like, getting the ball to Christian in transition or Balligan in transition that are dest even?

15:45I mean, that's going to be fireworks. That's going to be the, you know, popcorn stuff that you want to sit there and watch and see how they're going to take advantage of those moments. And also taking advantage of your chances. If you don't take them early, the longer this game goes on, Bosnia is going to grow in confidence. More pressure is going to be put on the US. Most people are going to see them as favorites, right? And especially because they're at home. And when you have that pressure on you, sometimes it causes you to be a little bit more nervy. I think you saw that with Germany versus Paraguay in terms of how they played.

16:21They played under immense pressure. Yeah, pressure of like they've not won the knockout game since 2014. The nation was, we have that same pressure. You are dead right, Clint. Yeah, I mean, it's what comes with it, right? I mean, even though it's in the round of 32 instead of the round of 16, like other World Cups, it's still the same amount of pressure because to your point, it is a knockout game. And Canada's won their knockout game. Mexico plays today versus Ecuador, which is going to be an exciting game to watch. I can't wait to watch it to see how that plays out. you know you want to be trying to make history you're on home soil job's not done you still did a great job of winning your group but none of that matters anymore now it's everybody has a fresh clean slate and so what are you going to do with that and so take advantage of your chances early that's going to make the game be more open and maybe you can get more goals and kind of put in this professional performance that you need to.

17:20Otherwise, it's going to be a grind and situation. You don't want to be going into overtime. You don't want to be going into penalty shootouts. Even though that they've prepared for that, I'm sure, and they're ready for that situation. Me as a fan, I don't know if I could take it. You know what I'm saying? It's hard when other teams that you don't have any skin in the game, it's still stressful to watch them. I agree. God, I didn't know you had so much heart, Clint. I mean, it's an agony. But you're right. We've blown the doors off early. We've scored early. We've taken the game out. If we do not do, you can't do that every game.

17:56If we don't do that, how do we mentally adjust?

18:03I've got to acknowledge also Bosnia lived to suffer. They feel like they're on their own national mission. They have their own cadre of fans who followed them from Toronto to Seattle to LA. They're fiercely loyal to Bosnia. or cheer them on as if they're on home turf. I think half of St. Louis is going to empty out and be with them. They'll want to turn it into a proper street fight. It's going to be smash and grab. They'll try and grab a goal off a free kick or a corner. I mean, we're very much in a way playing the US team of the 90s and early 2000s. They shouldn't be underrated. And here's what worries me to pull this together.

18:36You mentioned it earlier. The United States have lost 10 straight. Let me say that again. They've lost 10 straight games against European opponents. How does that happen? It's got to be a psychological issue, right, that we almost have an inferiority complex. Look, it's one of those things that you've got to keep testing yourself and putting yourselves in the situation to change that statistic. I would have liked to see we put our strongest 12 out there against that Turkey A side, how that would have went. I think possibly could have, you know, changed that stat line like what we talk about. But, you know, going to the game versus Bosnia and talking about them being compared to some of the, you know, in terms of the style of the U.S.

19:22of old and, you know, talking about set pieces. I think that's also a big key for us that that's kind of something that we can't go away from either. I think we're very dangerous on set pieces. it's going to be important the the crosses that we get in to players like balligan even weston mckinney um chris uh richards i i see that could be in the difference for us and the game uh also so look it's going to be a tough tough challenge we can't be the team that's going to be scoring first every time and it might be a situation where even looking at the brazil game how they approach that second half and how they took the game to Japan because really Japan weathered the storm in the first half and got the goal and then almost started bossing the game towards the end of the first half and so to come out in the second half and to get that goal and to keep pushing and and get the next one like that's something that you can learn from to to see how teams approach situations where their back's against the wall or a team is set up to defend and to frustrate them.

20:31What are those key moments to get where you can run at defenders, where you can offset them, where you can whip balls in and you got to take advantage of your chances? So look, I'm looking forward to that chess match and see how it plays out. We're going to get over this European fear. I mean, you look at the past round of 32 Bosnia, if we get through that. Round of 16, probably Belgium. Quarterfinal, getting a bit ahead of ourselves here. Spain, semifinal, getting very ahead of ourselves. France, Nanavs will beat Argentina. Don't look at Senegal as well in terms of that Belgium game. All the African teams have performed really well in this World Cup.

21:11It's the World Cup of Africa. It's the World Cup of Africa, man. Been on planes recently with fans from Ghana and Congo. Morocco, Ivory Coast. It is the good stuff, man. It's the good stuff. So to pull this together, I did fall asleep on a flight to Philadelphia after watching the U.S. lose to Turkey. I had a nightmare, Clint, that the win against Australia, we didn't know at the time, that was the high. That cannot happen. I'm going to ask you in a minute what kind of game, what kind of score do we expect? I do need to say, Tim Howard said over the weekend, he said, Bosnia, they're better off not even getting on a plane and going to San Francisco because the U.S.

21:47is going to put work in against them. I appreciate the spirit. I always worry when we learn nothing. You don't want to give bulletin board material to anybody. Raj, we've got to approach this like Australia game. All right? Remember how we were doing it? We were saying, hey. We're gassing them up. We're going to be very difficult. You know, it's good. They might even score a few goals. They might. You know. Gas them up, Clinton. We've got to gas them up. We definitely don't want to talk trash. We don't want to be like the Turkish captain. telling Australia that they were outclassed and would lose big.

22:24So tell me really, what kind of game, what will the score be? We do have to give them respect. Who's going to do the scoring? I think it's going to be a very difficult game. I think we barely edge it out. I see like a 1-0 goal from Christian or Bolligan or a set piece from Chris Richards or McKinney. Something like that. But it's going to be a battle. We're going to be stressed watching it. We are. I'm going to undersell and I hope they overachieve. That's the lane I'm staying in for this World Cup with the U.S. I'm going to say it's going to be a tight game. We're going to win 1-0 and hope that I'm wrong and we really boss the game.

23:01We'll see. Are you going to BS us all all the way to the final, Clinton? Yes, sir. Undersell so they can overachieve. That's what we're going with. Amen, Clinton. I will bite your arm off, you beautiful human being. I cannot wait to watch you. I hope you're on the big screen back up there in San Francisco. Thank you, you beautiful human being. Thanks again to our friends at Allstate for bringing this to life. Visit allstate.com, call a local agent today, see how much you can save. Be safe, Clint. It's amazing to be with you. Yes, sir. Always good chatting with you. Courage.