Clint Dempsey on USMNT’s Seattle Euphoria and the Turkey Test: The Deuce, Presented by Allstate 06/24/26

0:00For nearly two decades, almost as long as Tim Ream has been in the US Men's National Team, Allstate has backed the growth of this game in every corner of this great footballing nation. From grassroots pitches to the biggest stages, they've been here, believing in it, protecting its future, because supporting soccer, it's not just about match days. And that's why Allstate offers affordable coverage at personalised rates, so you can spend less time worrying and more time watching. Check Allstate first for a quote that could save you hundreds. Visit allstate.com or call a local agent today. Allstate, you're in good hands.

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1:57Listen to 1440 Explores wherever you get your podcasts. You're listening to the Men in Blazers Media Network, suboptimal radio. Seeing some of the kids on their parents' shoulders, boys and girls, being around the stage, the excitement, how passionate they were for the game, you really feel like something is changing in America in terms of the passion is going to another level. And for me, it takes me back to 94 and being one of those kids, you know, dreaming about the possibility of playing in a World Cup one day. That's what it's all about is inspiring the next generation. And that's what this U.S.

2:33team is doing.

2:39We American fans of Living Day's Cup from dreams and prayer. Our United States men head into their third and final group stage game. It's a layup. Did somebody say that? Against Turkey. It's really just a dead rubber because we've already locked up first place in the group stage for just a third time in the history of our nation. A nation that's euphoric, rising up behind the US men's team. and to explain what has happened and all that is to come. It's a joy to welcome back the best who ever do it for a special Holy Crap, We Are So Good Country Roads Take Me Home edition of The Juice, presented by our great friends at Allstate.

3:17We are so proud to team up with a brand that's committed to growing the game we love and the nation we adore. Oh, it's incredible to see Crown Prince of Nagadoches, Texas. It's Mr. Clint Dempsey. What's up, Raj? Good to see you, brother. Oh, it's incredible to see you. Clint, have you been humming country roads? Take me home since Friday like me. Yeah, I mean, I think everybody that's a fan of the U.S. team just really impressed with how they performed, how they dealt with that pressure, and with the country being on their shoulders and the performances they've put in. And like you said, already won the group and a chance to possibly rest some players, but it's a tricky one in terms of how you manage that and still keep the momentum going.

3:59But hey, we'd have bit anybody's hand off. you'd have told this that going into the World Cup, be in this position. Both hands, man. Happy days. Yes, sir. Happy days, indeed. And this is an incredible time to be alive. Seattle was so amazing. It was overwhelming emotionally to watch. There were thousands at our match day live, and then we marched with 15 ,000 US fans to the game. It was ecstasy. But what was your best memory of the day? Best memory of the day? I mean, as us winning the game, obviously, it doesn't get much better than that. But I think seeing some of the kids on their parents' shoulders, boys and girls, being around the stage, the excitement, how passionate they were for the game, you really feel like something is changing in America in terms of the passion is going to another level.

4:52And for me, it takes me back to 94 and being one of those kids, you know, dreaming about the possibility of playing a World Cup one day. and thinking it's achievable, thinking it's real by being so close to it, feeling the energy, being at the stadium, seeing the players up close. I mean, that's what it's all about is inspiring the next generation, and that's what this U.S. team is doing. I spoke to so many parents, so many kids who were there. I said to all of them, especially the kids, I said, you need to know you're going to remember this day forever, being with your mom, being with your dad.

5:26By the way, did you know, Clint, that today is the 17th anniversary of United States 2, Spain 0 in the Confederations Cup, second goal scored by, just remind me. Oh, it's your boy, Ducey, of course, you know what I'm saying? It's cool to think back of those times and the way in which we performed in that game and beating a team of the quality of Spain who ended up winning the World Cup the following year in 2010. So, yeah, that's something that you can kind of hang your hat on, the fact that you got a goal and assist against such a top team and to help your country get to a final of a major competition against Brazil.

6:06Did you know that it was the 70th anniversary? And for me, that's a profound memory. These memories that are being made will be wider, deeper, more widely felt. But does it feel like yesterday or does it feel like a long time ago, T? It definitely feels like yesterday. The older that you get, your sense of time is it just flies by. And the only reason I do know is because I follow Men in Blazers on social media. I saw the post that y 'all put up and I put it on my story. So if y 'all didn't let me know about it, I wouldn't have known. So shout out to y 'all for that. It's your life. We're all just making memories as we are right now.

6:43And I want to talk about this Australia game. Spooked a lot of Australian fans in Seattle at the bar that night. Great, great turnout by them too. I think they had 8 ,000 Australian fans marching to the match. euphoric beforehand deeply disappointed afterwards they felt their team did not show up but what did you see because the way we're starting these games with with a fury and an intensity and a focus it's very hard for the first two opponents to hold on no for sure i mean i think it's difficult for paraguay and um for australia when the first goal you can see in a game is is an own goal It changes the dynamic of the game.

7:21If your game plan was to stay compact and be difficult to break down when you concede like that so early in the game, it kind of throws that out the window. And it's, you know, it's one of those sayings that when you get punched in the mouth, everybody has a plan until you get hit. And that's a major blow. Also, to your point, the way in which we start games, the pressure that we put on opponents from when they try to build out of the back or when they lose the ball, or even how we play and take the game to them. I thought Pochettino got the tactics right in terms of how we spread our midfield.

7:52Tillman on the left, McKinney on the right, Tyler Adams more centrally. It forced the Australian side to kind of go with those players and I think creates a little bit more space in the middle if you wanted to play through in that way. But also think the interchanging of players that you see between, you know, whether it's Weston going to the left, Tillman on the right, or Balligan switching places with Pepe or Dest is difficult for opposition to deal with. But, you know, Balligan is on fire. The first goal, getting a ball in the channel, beating the man. And we talked about how do you deal with a back line that has such height and in terms of what kind of service you put in.

8:29And no matter how tall you are, if you're playing a ball into that corridor of uncertainty that Kaisersmeichel has said one day when I was hanging out with them, where they're facing their own goal, it's difficult to defend against that. The keeper don't know about coming out. The defender doesn't know who's on their shoulder if they let the ball pass them. And that's how we've created two goals. Ballo's on fire. Your defense is terrified. I'm still trying to work all of this out. I've got to be honest. How has this happened? The football, for most of this cycle, Clint, you've had to watch. Even worse, you've had to watch with me, you poor bastard.

9:06Even at the best of times, it was fleetingly good. Suddenly, we're razzle-dazzle swaggy nutmeg kings. We're balling out with the nation watching. You know, I had Chris Richards on this morning and he talked about, he said, you know, we're just peaking at the right time. Pochettino has talked about his players' soccer IQ. But it's got to be more than that, right, for them to suddenly click, understand this system and play football that's cut from pure dreams. Yeah, I mean, I just think you have a lot of things going for you. You started the tournament off great. Each of those games you started off great.

9:40The opposition that was going to make it difficult to break them down of conceded goals early in the game, which caused them to be more exposed and opened up. I just think we've had a number of players who have stepped up and risen to the occasion. I think you've gotten this fan base behind you in believing to be that 12th man. And I think it's such a huge advantage to feel that and to have them urging you on. And I think when you score goals and you're gaining confidence, you play with more of a swagger, right? And you get on this wave that we talked about where it just seems like things seem to go for you.

10:16So for right now, I mean, we're just riding a high. And it's how you keep that going, going into the Turkey game. And are you able to manage that and still not pick up the yellows that could cost four of our major players to not make it in the first knockout round? So it's going to be challenging to see how they adapt with that situation. But to your point, when you grow in confidence and you've got the fan base behind you, it just takes your game to another level, and you're seeing that. I want to pick up on the fan base because it's beautiful and powerful. It's stuff we've talked about wanting, yearning for.

10:50It's happening, and I think its effect is enormous. But these performances, is this the best you've seen the U.S. quality-wise play football at a World Cup on the men's side? I mean, there was asked this question and the only other game that comes to mind where you truly going out and you're playing really well and against top competition. I think 2002 when they played against Portugal and how they performed against Paraguay. I mean, those two opening games were truly special. And to have already won the group and to, you know, have a player that scored a brace that's not been done since 1930 and Flo Balogun.

11:31to finally get a clean sheet in this second game. We haven't had a clean sheet in, I think, 10 or 11 games, which is amazing to see. We talked about the attack and how exciting they were, but now they're starting to tighten things up defensively and Chris Richards being in that back line after being out for 20-something days and being able to bounce back and perform how he's been able to play has been truly impressive. Freeze getting the clean sheet as well, so it's going to be huge for his confidence. I mean, they're playing great, but I still want to see more. I want to see them truly challenged and deal with a little bit of adversity.

12:02And I guess we're going to see that in the next game. You have four players who are on yellow cards. And do you risk losing them in the knockout stages? Because my thing is, is if you're on a yellow, you kind of play in a lower gear. And if you're going into tackle, sometimes you can kind of get hurt doing that. Also, you're not playing as free. So you're not going to play your best. So it'll be interesting to see how that plays out. Because sometimes you can get a yellow, even if it's not your fault. It's just being a little unlucky. And I just don't know if we have the depth to lose the quality of players that we have on yellows.

12:38I mean, I think they're just too valuable to risk. But I still think you approach this game like you want to win and get a result out of it and keep that momentum going. And so far, Pochettino has gotten all the right answers. And who are we to doubt him so far in how he's performed in this World Cup? And as the world arrives in the United States for the biggest spectacle in sports, we're going coast to coast, host city to host city, to meet the world with the Men in Blazers Match Day Live Tour. These are free college game day style live events taking place just before kickoff at some of the biggest games of the summer, where we'll be taking the stage with celebrity guests in front of thousands of fans.

13:19It's going to be amazing. Come and be with us in person, or from afar on YouTube. And let's celebrate this some other way. It's meant to be celebrated. Just head to the events tab on meninblazers.com for all the details. To the football, to more together courage. Trust the process. Why not us? All the lemons ripening at the right time for Mauricio Pochettino. I want to talk about the game ahead and how you think it's going to go down. But you talked about the fan base and it is a remarkable thing to witness. We had Marshawn Lynch join us as our guest in Seattle on Matchday Live and he talked about how in peak moments the noise at Lumen Field can hit earthquake levels on the Richter scale for reals.

14:09And it did when Alex Freeman, when his goal was awarded, boom, there, earthquake. And I think about home advantage, Clint. That's home advantage. Have you ever seen an American crowd at a men's game like that one? I don't know if I've seen too many like that. I mean, it's truly special to see what we're witnessing. But what I will say about the Pacific Northwest is they always show up and show out rain, sleet or snow. I mean, they are fans that support their teams through thick and thin. And things that come to mind, you know, the quarterfinal game that we played there in Copa America, they had that place rocking but I just think it's on another level now because the importance of the World Cup and how much it means to everybody in the states and in terms of moving the game to another level also like hosting other countries to come in and you want to be able to puff your chest out a little bit and say hey we know how to play this game too I mean hats off really to all the host countries for welcoming in all the other countries, how they've performed so far in the group stage.

15:19It's been truly amazing to watch how our fan base has gotten behind the team. This team has made the nation feel proud. We've seen the incredible scenes in Hartford, Connecticut, in San Jose, in Atlanta, the fan zone there, Electric. To make the nation wake up and feel things through football. I want to deconstruct where we are as a team, but I do want to say, before we get into it, that's almost as important, making this nation feel alive through the U.S. men's national team as the wins themselves. Yeah, I mean, we talked about it. You know, what we saw in Gold Cup and no one really going out to the games and some of the attendances and the friendlies.

16:02And it makes such a huge advantage to get your country behind you and to kind of like will you on to victory because there's going to be tough moments where your backs are going to be against the wall and you're going to need to feel that support and to give you that confidence to keep going, to keep fighting, to run that extra yard, to make a tackle, to run that extra yard, to get on the end of something and get that goal. And you're seeing these players play to a better level than we've ever seen. And I think it's because of how this fan base has got behind them and pushing them to new heights.

16:36And long may it continue. I pray that they keep on doing what they're doing, both the fans supporting this team, how they've done it, but in the players giving them a reason to cheer and get out of their seats. So we still have a lot more of this tournament to go. We should not be full. We should stay hungry because if you want to do truly something special, you got to keep believing and keep grinding. And I think they'll get it done. This is a good segue because I don't want to knock the bus. I don't want to harsh the mellow. So, you know, but what do you say to someone who suggests we need to take a deep breath before we do get too carried away?

17:11It's been amazing watching this U.S. team ball out. But the quality of the opposition, I mean, when you look at it, has been deeply one dimensional. Paraguay were poor. Australia were, let's say, robust, but they lacked ambition. I think neither side knew what to do with the ball. Australia had 38 percent. I think Paraguay had even less, like 35 percent. And how much of the U.S. wins was us? And how much is it that we kind of played two poor teams at the start of this tournament? Look, I mean, I was surprised Australia didn't start their two goal scorers that it's played in the first game against us.

17:49I will say that caused the other teams to feel that pressure and put them on the back foot and caused them to score two own goals in these opening games, which made it difficult for them to play their style when they were probably set up to be more compact and kind of frustrate us. It will be interesting to see a team that has a little bit more quality being able to pass through our press and see how we deal with that. And will we continue to keep such a high line in terms of how we press them? Or will it force us to have our line of confrontation drop back almost to the halfway circle? So that's something to look out for as we play against better competition.

18:25But in terms of the pathway that we have, I don't know if you could ask for a better one in terms of who we might go up against in the round of 32 and round of 16 compared to other pathways that you see across the board. So, look, you only can play the teams that are in front of you. And they've played amazingly well against those teams. And, look, we have another challenge in the next game against Turkey A and to see how we do there and keep the momentum going. But so far, all I can say is hats off to the boys. but job's not done. Kobe mentality. Let's stay locked in. I mean, there will be a point where the U.S.

19:02state that line and goalkeeper are given a good probing by a more ambitious opponent. We have no idea if it's going to hold up, but we had Jurgen Klinsmann on this Saturday. He was really interesting. He said he loved the play he's seen, but he also said teams that go deep grow into a World Cup tournament. They don't peak at the beginning in the first and second games. They peak in knockout play. His point was the tournament's long. The road is exhausting. And no team has won all of its group stage games and won the entire tournament since Brazil 2002. When you hear that, how do you react? Well, first, Jürgen's won a World Cup.

19:44So, listen, he's someone who's done it. So there's validity to what he's saying. Also, there's no team that I think's won the World Cup that's had a foreign manager. but stats are made to be broken and that's what you got to do and hopefully this team goes out and continues to play in which they play but when someone like Jurgen speaks you have to listen because of the pedigree and what he's done in the world of football Turkey lies ahead it is a dead rubber they're eliminated, we've won the group I'm interested in how you think the United States players should approach this one first mentally Yeah, I mean, you got to find the right balance.

20:26Like, the job's not done. You got to stay hungry. You got the people, four players on the yellow cards. I think they're far too valuable to risk to lose for the knockout stages. But at the same time, it's whether Pochettino trusts them to go out and play and not get those yellows. They'll be wait to see that. You have to also deal with the dynamic of you want people to feel like they're a part of this tournament. and to do that is to get minutes and be on the field because at some point you're going to need to go to your bench to have a lift. It's going to be interesting to see what Christian's fitness is.

20:59He said that he's feeling 100 % and ready to go and I'm sure he'll see that all the big stars have stepped up and scored goals in this tournament even though that he's gotten an assist and played well in the first game. He needs to score a goal to be, I think, added to that list in terms of putting a stamp on this tournament And like we said, you want to manage, you know, that momentum. You want to keep it going and you want to still try to put your strongest line up out there to get a result. Because Turkey, you're not going to be able to go home in that country. If you don't go out there and show fight and fight and fight for pride of the country, I think it'd be difficult to go back home and to come outside of your house.

21:39You better stay on vacation or go straight back to your club team because they are a very passionate fan base. They really support their teams and they love their football. So I'm sure you're going to see a very highly motivated Turkey 8 going out and emptying the take because they have nothing to lose. So it's going to be an interesting game to see tactically what our coach does. But like I said, he's gotten all the tactics right in the first two games. And, you know, I'm just going to trust the process. And he's the one watching these players day in and day out. The other dynamic that you have to listen to, and this would be the last thing I say, is the amount of days between games.

22:17If you're a starter in Australia and then you don't play this next game at all, I mean, you're going 12 days without playing in a game and maybe losing some of that match fitness. And if you're Christian and you don't play, it's 18 days. It's crazy. It's a long time to go. So that's another thing you've got to deal with as a coach that's been different from previous World Cups. And I'm curious to see how it plays out.

22:45So it is interesting. Yellow card, to pull together what you said, yellow card, do you think we have to sit out players like Chris Richards that we just cannot afford to lose? Very succinctly, what is the balance between rotation and momentum? What is that? Can you explain that? Rotation is load management and giving people the opportunity to feel a part of this World Cup because you're going to have to go to your bench if you're going to really go far in this tournament and people are going to need to step up. But at the same time, it's that trusting of your players who are on yellows. And I guess you can approach it almost like you getting a yellow card in the first five minutes anyway, and you have to be careful.

23:28And people have been in those situations and how they've managed that. But I just, no disrespect, I just think that these players are far too valuable to risk losing them for the knockout stages. And I think what we've seen in the past, you know, look at Chris Richards, for example. He went 20 days without playing and he still was able to have the match sharpness to play. So, look, it's a tricky one, how you tiptoe the line and what to do. But, you know, it's tough decisions and really it's champagne problems. If we had to choose problems, these are the problems we choose to have. Christian Pulisic, as you say, back in training, calf knack, two days of training.

24:10Match fitness is a strange concept for fans. We do not fully understand it. We don't quite understand that players need real live games to get back to full fitness. You've already hit the point that if he doesn't play here, and I think he will play for part of it, he's not going to play again until July the 1st. That's an enormous chasm of time. Do you expect he'll play to get up to speed, that match fitness concept? I think he will. He said he's 100%. He said that with his own mouth, with his own words. So I think we do see him. I think you see a situation like we saw in some of the sendoff games where, you know, they play a full half or they play to the 60th minute and make and make subs.

24:51Right. Because if this say you change out the four players and let's say you make five changes in the second half around the 60th minute, I think you've still given yourself the chance to get the best result. But you've also given nine players a chance to get more World Cup or get World Cup experience and get bought in and feeling like they're a part of it. So I think that's the way that you kind of is a win-win and you can tick all the boxes. I think you've nailed it, Coach Clint. I just spoke to Chris Richards. You did. He told me he wants to play every game. I have a feeling he won't be playing this one.