USA Matchday Eve: A Celebration of American Soccer at the Fortress featuring Clint Dempsey, Herculez Gomez, Wilfried Nancy and Frankie Hedjuk presented by Purina: Men in Blazers 09/08/25

18:44Rog:He goes, what are we doing tonight? I said, we're going to fix the United States team. He goes, how long are we going to be on stage? Five hours. You've just done it. You've just done it in like 20 seconds. The only thing I'd add, I'd actually have Ballo start, but I'd have Brian McBride play alongside him.

19:04That's the man right there. That's big bro from my time at Fulham.

19:08Rog:god is it ever that's called playing to the crowd um japan awaits tomorrow night we're going to break all of this down where we are exactly what we can dream of again what we can brace ourselves for but let's bring our first guest to the stage a gen name for the giant of greek mythology i think arguably surpassed the feats of his namesake on the football field at least became a star in Liga MX, MLS, US Men's National Team, gone on to become an ESPN broadcaster, host the quite magical VAMOS on our network. It's a joy to bring to the stage. Columbus, let's hear it for Mr. Hercules Gomez.

20:07I think destiny is calling me Open up my eager eyes Because I missed the prize Herc. Yes, sir. Explain the jersey. It's JJ Ococha. It's Nigeria. Nigeria kids, they never miss. It's like South Korea, Nigeria, old school US men's national team. You can't go wrong with them.

20:36Rog:you are bringing the joy with you back to Columbus Herc I once watched you here in Crewe Stadium I think it was September the 11th 2012 Jamaica it's my man's we don't rehearse we don't rehearse but by the way this was a must win or about as much win as you can get in World Cup qualifying, you and Clint started up front together in those Where's Waldo strike kits. Clint, again, won the foul. It's a long-range free kick, which, by the way, gets further and further out every time Herc tells me the story. But what's amazing is you stepped up and did this. It's Gomez. And it's in! Goalkeeper got his hands to him.

21:30and couldn't keep that one out. And Hercules Gomez has given the United States the breakthrough they were so desperate for. It looks better on video than it did in person. Keeper should have had it, but I still remember. It's a strong shot, but he should have had it. I still remember the sound, though. That's the one thing about playing in Columbus, especially World Cup qualifiers. Any big game with the U.S. Men's Nation, the sound's just deafening. Like, as soon as the ball hit the back of the net,

21:58Rog:it was like boom explosion that's what's special about this city when you play here the sound it sounds different yeah i could tell you from playing with the u.s men's national team anytime you come to columbus it's home it really feels like this is the home of the u.s men's national team

22:16and and i'm not so proud to admit it but the one of the teams that always gave me trouble when i played in major league soccer was columbus in columbus for whatever reason they just old school Columbus in whatever stadium, the one that caught fire, the scoreboard. Somebody's out here, whoever did it. I know they're out here, but it was always just a difficult place to play.

22:40Rog:The most amazing point of my goal, Clint, is that you let him take it. Hey, he was feeling it. And what I'll say about her, he could strike a ball. He's the only person that I've ever played with throughout my career. He'd just come out to warmups, even when we were in Seattle. He's ripping shots straight from the jump. Never had to stretch. So that's one thing I'll say about her. He always had a cannon on him. That's for sure. That's probably why I retired like four years before you. Quite about the fall off. Exactly. Exactly. We got talking about fall off. We got a lot of serious business to attend to.

23:18Rog:Got to talk about the U.S. team with real honesty, with real love. Saturday's performance. I know for a lot of human beings talking to a lot of you before the show was demoralizing. I mean, for me, it's that the audience was 80 % Korean fans. I mean, this is a tough moment for this team. Nothing is forever. It is changeable. Please God, it will change tomorrow night here in Columbus. But we really are. There's that line from Apocalypse Now, the documentary, Francis Ford Coppola. He said there were too many of us. We had access to too much money, too much equipment, and little by little, we went insane.

23:59Rog:And that kind of feels where we are now. It feels mad that we are here when we all love the sport so much. There's so much talent. We have a World Cup coming to us. And what I want to say is, before we get into it, what we're going to say here tonight, I think, comes from love. Like, there's nobody I've met that loves this team more than you. No one sacrificed more for this team than you. I mean, Herc, talking about it week in with you, that truth comes from a place of love. We adore this team. We dream of it doing well. We believe it can be done well. That's the spirit we're going to talk about this team with tonight, right, Clint?

24:39Yeah, I mean, as a kid, when I thought about playing soccer when I got older, it wasn't playing club soccer. It was always representing my country, putting on that jersey. It's what I prayed about when I went to bed at night, that I hoped one day that I could represent my country to play in the World Cup. It just is something that meant so much to me. So anytime that I ever got the call, I was always there. It wasn't a situation like, is you going to come in or not? If I could walk and get on the field, I was going to play.

25:10Rog:So let's dive into it. I mean, we are two days shy of a calendar year since Mauricio Pochettino took over the US men. He was introduced to us as a, quote, serial winner. By the way, I was elated when Mauricio took over the team. I really was. I said in that moment, it could be incredible. He could be the gentleman that's going to take us next level. I also said it could be a gentleman who's rejected like a donor organ. Poor guy. Donor organ humor rarely does well. Another reason I love Columbus. Paul Carr just tweeted this after the game. He said the US have now lost five straight games against FIFA top 25 teams by a combined 11 to 1.

25:57Rog:Apart from Mexico, the last US win against a FIFA top 25 was against Iran in the 2022 World Cup. That's how far back we have to go. Tomorrow we meet Japan. Nine games to go before the full World Cup. squad is unveiled. We've lost three street friendlies. Turkey, eh? Who just lost 6-0 to Spain. That's what made me crack my pants. Switzerland, South Korea. So where are we in the process? How worried should we be before we dive into the Elements Hut? Well, you said organ donor. You could die from that. No, you know, I see this as you should be as you should be worried yes because it's the world cup on home soil and clint i remember 1994 and what that did for me seeing a world cup on home soil gave me the belief that wow they play soccer in the states i want to play soccer in the states professionally i want to play for the u.s men's national team and and seeing landon and beasley in 2002 seeing teenagers my age the same age group playing with a full national team i want to do that so this generation they have a responsibility and obligation for whatever comes next, if they have a good World Cup, the country's going to get behind them.

27:12The United States of America, 360 million people are going to get behind this team if they have a good World Cup, if they can make a run. I see it, and bear with me here. Not too long ago, there's this owner who shall not be named who wanted to take the Columbus crew away from Columbus.

27:32The people rallied. They got behind their team, right? And today, the Columbus crew have one of the teams that played the best brand of football, soccer, in all of Major League Soccer.

27:50It's no different. You give them something to hope for, something to fight for, the fans are going to come out. You mentioned South Korea, 80 % South Korean fans. I guarantee you 90 % of them are Americans. You got to give people a reason to cheer for this team, a reason to fight for this team, a reason to believe.

28:06Rog:I mean, I do. By the way, when I watch the crew play, sellout after sellout after sellout, you do, you want to jump through the television set to be there. That's the energy. That's the pulsating reality. But we ask fans in the Men and Blazers Discord for questions to ask you both on stage tonight. I want to look forward as much as possible. But there was one question which really stuck with me because it does reveal a challenging reality. And Martin Martin asked, Clint, when was the last time you watched the USN, never mind a signature win, but felt joy, a joyful moment? the last time I watched them that I was excited about this team again I would say when B when BJ Callahan was coaching them in the CONCACAF Nations League in Vegas the way that they played against Canada Mexico and that the way and then from there going back the way that they played in the World Cup in 2022 got me excited and believing again the fact that they were able to qualify for the World Cup and looked like they were building towards something so you had that building towards something, getting out of the group in the World Cup.

29:18Then you had issues off the field with the Berhalter-Reyna situation. Then you had B.J. Callahan step in, and then how they played in Vegas against Canada and Mexico. You're like, okay, all right, we're going to keep moving on from here. And I just felt like we never did from that point. Is that when you put on the block, or is that when you put on the shades? Man, I don't know when I'll put on the shades. That's the happiest I've ever seen you. That was. The first time I ever put on the shades was actually the CONCACAF Nations League in Denver. But I'm talking about the one that was in Vegas and how they played there.

29:56I played well. And against a very good Canadian team. I mean, what would you say the last time you got excited about this team? The last time I got excited about this team was in Cincinnati. The Dos Acero versus the Mexican. you guys don't like this is the home of I didn't tell them to take the game away from Columbus it's not my fault you guys got Honduras was it Honduras or Salvador Salvador it was a Anthony Robinson goal I was here for that as well you guys brought it I remember

30:32Rog:don't drag me into this this is you and them on this you're like You're the one saying I love Skyline Chili.

30:43Rog:By the way, I'm like hashtag Schmitz House of Sausage.

30:51Rog:Purina.

30:57Rog:By the way, when he asked you, when were you last happy about the team, I thought you were going to be like, that free kit you took into. I mean, I do want to be clear. I mean, God, BJ Callahan. You went way back. What? When was the result you were talking about? That was qualifying in 2022. So, because you're right, it was always something. Like, the U.S. Men's National League versus Canada in Las Vegas, you're like, this is an amazing win. But there was, well, they found out about the coaching change and what was going to happen pregame right before the Mexico game. You know, it was always like something there.

31:35I think you got to go back. And even in the World Cup. To 1950. That's when Roger wasn't happy.

31:42Rog:Can I tell you, I'm really happy in 2010. England won, USA won. This man. That's right. Those kind of... By the way, those kind of moments are the joyful kind of moments that define the sport. That's all we want. Right now, we're living off... I mean, there are like this little pulse moments. Matt Freeze, penalty saves against Costa Rica. Diego Luna, the spark. Chris Richards winning the FA Cup. Love that man. But I want to talk through the element. So let's start with the manager. We'll talk about the players. We'll talk about US soccer itself. Because right now, no one is taking responsibility.

32:24Rog:I've got to be candid. I would be calm if someone was stepping up and saying, this is where we are. I got this. I got this. because I do believe the elements are there for us to get this. But let's start with Mauricio. He was hired. The reputation, the expectation, we're going next level. And right now, you talked about this on Saturday. There's question marks by everything. The goalkeeper, the centre-backs, the midfield, the striker. We do feel like we're in a vast open audition. I think I'm like fifth on the depth chart in certain positions. And he's bald. Sorry. For a goalkeeper, that's been a success for us.

33:05Rog:It's my only asset right now is all I'll tell you. But we've talked about it. We've got the best players currently either subbing in, Chris Richards, or Weston McKinney sitting at home and the clock's ticking for chemistry, chemistry, chemistry. How dangerous is it that this close to a World Cup, that we don't know anything still positionally? Or should we be chill? I mean, I personally think it's dangerous. when you think back when he was hired I too was excited about everything but if you're looking at where we are right now if you ask U.S. soccer if you ask Pochettino or if you ask the fan base are they happy right now there's no one that's going to put their hand up and say yes um yeah you're worried about you wanted to get a grit into this team a fighting spirit you saw that in gold cup but you have to mix that with quality and I don't think we've seen that yet the grit and quality kind of mixed together.

34:00And I know he's saying, you know, be patient, be patient, but any more patience, pretty soon I won't be 80 years old waiting on this team. But I do believe in this team, and I do think that they have quality players. I do think we've been bitten by the injury bug a little bit. But, you know, if this team gets Anthony Robinson back, right, and you get Pepe and Bolligan confident in playing, I think those are difference makers. I think if you talk about what we have in camp right now I would like to see Chris Richards starting with Tim Reen like we talked about I'd like to see Weah being in the left back position maybe get Luna on the left like we said Zendejas in the midfield with Baligan up top I just think it gives us a chance to win but we're here in Columbus I'm going to be positive because this has always been a place that when we needed it our backs were against the wall we got result and by getting a result against a top team, a quality team like Japan, can get this fan base believing again and get this fan base behind us because it has to be difficult for U.S.

35:02soccer to have leverage commercially trying to sell on this World Cup. Absolutely. I don't disagree with one word that Clint just said. I'll tell you a little story about Clint. I was with the Seattle Sounders in my last year as a professional. You guys beat him in an MLS Cup. Let them have something.

35:29It's my last year as a professional, Seattle Sounders, and Clint had a heart condition, if I recall correctly. And Clint was out for like maybe a month where he couldn't play. I've met few people in the sport as fiercely competitive as this guy to my left. was always in a bad mood when he couldn't play. This is a true story. Couldn't play. Didn't train because they wouldn't allow him. Showed up every single day. One day they gave him the green light, and I believe we were in Orlando. You and I were roommates on that trip. Clint had little to no training sessions, walks onto this terrible turf field against Orlando, drops a hat trick like nothing.

36:22this is where i come into this is where the u.s men's national team comes into it my hope for the u.s men's national team is that muscle memory you have players who have been together not only the five years when they got the opportunity post the 2018 world cup failure but beyond that they've done youth national teams together they've done hundreds of camps together They've grown up together. They know each other very well. And I'm going to give Mauricio Pochettino the benefit of the doubt of never having his full squad. I think that's important. And once they have that full squad, I know we're about nine months out.

36:58But I take Morocco. Morocco with 40-something days after the U.S. Men's National Team beat them 3-1 in Cincinnati.

37:13Rog:They went to the World Cup. Hang on. This guy said it would have been more hair.

37:21I don't doubt it. I don't doubt it. They went to the World Cup and had a generational run in a group with a World Cup finalist in Croatia, the North American cycle winner in Canada, and the golden generation of Belgium. and they beat Spain, Portugal, and ultimately bowed out to France in the final. So I'm hoping muscle memory of these players and Pochettino puts his work in and the U.S. will be fine.

37:51Rog:It was a semi-final, but I'll take it. I mean, we're living in a moment of so many paradoxes. We're all trying to untangle them. I mean, I think Mauricio feels like he's inherited a complacent culture. big players taking their places for granted phoning it in a little bit when you talk to people around the team that's the reality he's trying to create a new culture but digging so deep into fine replacements that they're not quite matching where he needs them quality wise that's the tension of what we're currently living out you know but then poch post game says these things I think we were better than South Korea.

38:34Rog:Or my message to the fans is that we're going to arrive at the World Cup in the best condition and we're going to be difficult to defeat. It was Taylor Twellman who tweeted on Saturday night. He said, if any other coach said, quote, you're booing Taylor Twellman. Boo! Is he like from Cincinnati, like in a secret world or something? I'm trying to learn the rules as I'm doing this. If he wanted to take the team to St. Louis. I might anyone that has been in, like, the aura of a Skyline Chili is like... Can I ask, how do you feel about Rose Lavelle? There we go. See? There you are. I'm learning. I'm learning.

39:18Rog:She played for Columbus. DeAndre Yedlin. Akron Zip. Is Akron in the blast radius? Trying to get a barometer on this. By the way, if you're tired of Rose Lavelle, you're tired of life. I really do believe that in every regard. But back to Taylor Twelma, be nice. He said, if any other coach said, we need to start to win when the World Cup starts. I'm sorry. It's a real quote. We need to start to win when the World Cup starts. Taylor said you'll be all over him in two seconds I love Potch as a club manager I really do but I've got to say I find the things that he says post game trying to be rosy trying to brave face your way through it when there's no honest evaluation it feels like fuel on the fire for this moment I mean that's ultimately the question is like what is going I mean, like that tension between the culture and the chemistry and then the post-match conversation.

40:31Rog:Is there a process going on? You guys have been inside of squads. Should we be hands off and respect the processes, really? No, it's your team. It's not Marisa Pochettino's team. It's your team. You've seen this team. The players know who they are. The players know what this team is about. I respect Marisa Pochettino, but we're getting, when he got here, a sense of every game should matter. When you play for the U.S. men's national team, you play for your national team, there are no friendlies. There are no World Cup qualifiers. It's all the same. You should die for your national team. That's what he wanted.

41:06And here we are, and we're being told, hey, we got it. We'll start winning in the World Cup. Here, I agree with Twelman. If we were in Argentina, and he was the head coach of the Argentine national team, things were going to be so rosy. now I'm hoping the experimentation phase is over you know how it is you got to get at some point your core Clint you got to get these players who are familiar with each other you you know what some of these players can give you and they've earned their their spots but who are they the players who could potentially help you do something great you know so let's play this game

41:43Rog:take or not take this is a game that I'd call are they on the plane to the world cup are they not on the plane if the plane was to a foreign country and not actually to the United States. It's the domestic version of are they on the plane? If the World Cup was tomorrow, let me ask you this, guys. Simple question. First up, would you take Weston McKinney? Yes. This is like Love Island Columbus edition. Weston stays on the island. By the way, this is the sexiest Love Island of all in Columbus. By the way, if romance cannot live in Columbus, it can't live anywhere. I believe in love. That's the weight of my heart, by the way, like trashy reality TV.

42:28That and good cooking.

42:29Rog:Weston McKinney, go on. When you see him, what do you see? I see a box-to-box midfielder, someone that has that grit about him that gets stuck in, that's not going to take any shit off anybody. I just want to see him at his best, right? I think he's at his best when he's being challenged and he's not too comfortable. I think when he has to prove himself like how he's done it Juventus with the different managers doubting him and always finding a way to get back into the team I think he's someone when his back's against the wall you see the best out of him so and he's from Texas so I gotta show him love I'm not just doing this because you're frankly terrifying me and confusing me at this point but let's try a home-growing hero Aidan Morris

43:24Rog:Purina a young player Carolee oh

43:40Rog:this is going to be a long show I don't know if you knew this, but currently top of the table Middlesbrough.

43:51Rog:Bossing the midfield four games in. Let me give you this one. Aiden Morris take on. Is Aiden Morris on the plane? So here's the thing about Aiden Morris is we've never really seen him with the U.S. Men's National Team. And I'm a little confused by this because you have a situation where Johnny Cardoso has been killing it in La Liga for Albetis and for Atletico, but when it comes to the U.S. men's national team, he's not been at his best. Tyler Adams, he's certainly a rock, but he's going through, I would say, a difficult 18 months of coming back from injury, and you don't know what his state's going to be like come 10 months from now.

44:30If there's another defensive midfielder in the pool who's raised their hand for an opportunity, I do believe it's Aiden Morris. I do believe he merits an opportunity so i don't know it's a get them on the plane but it's a get them on the field for

44:43Rog:sure i want to see this if there's a standby list on this hypothetical plane aiden morris is on it you mentioned johnny cardo so good enough to start in the center of the midfield for atletico madrid would you bring is johnny cardo so on the plane you know it'd be crazy for for me to say he's not on the plane he's playing at atletico madrid how many players do you have in the u.s mensah But I go back to performances against Trichia, which we saw outside of the foot pass in his own box gets picked off goal against. We go and look at Colombia when they played last summer. A couple errors ended up as a goal.

45:23So there are moments where this player who's so fantastic at a club level, like Champions League level, European level, who can't put it together at the CONCACAF level. I'm hoping it's like Malik Tillman, guys. I'm hoping Malik Tillman had a coming out party this summer. yeah all right I'm hoping it's like Malik Tillman but he's on the plane for me let me ask you this

45:40Rog:one Clint because you're a striker had you right sharpen clinical four goals four games for fifth place in the championship Coventry City in that striker pool where are we now what do you believe I honestly think it's a tough one to call because certain players when they wear this jersey it seems a little bit too heavy for them but for their club they're able to get it done so is it either the championship not at the level that we think it is, or they're not able to perform when they're coming into camp, or maybe it's the system they have to play within this national team. It's one of those things I think is still up for grabs, and hopefully when they get the chance to come into camp, they can prove it and give us more of a clear-cut idea of who we think is going to be on the plane.

46:27But it's Haji Wright, it's have we given up on the Sargent project or not? Is it, what about Pepe when he's fit? What about Baligan? Clint, how much weight? What about Ajiman? You know what I'm saying? How much weight do you put in a striker that can play like other positions, multiple positions, especially in a tournament? More weight, more weight, obviously, yeah. Yeah, and I think that's the biggest value that Haji brings, besides being the only nine since Brian McBride is scoring a World Cup. Like, he can play in multiple positions and he's a big body. Let's not forget when the chips were down against Jamaica.

47:01It was 1-0 Jamaica, 90-something minute. It's an own goal, and then after that own goal, where they take it at extra time, it's Haji Wright with two goals. It's Giovanni Reina, Haji Wright to come save the day. He's still, for as few opportunities as he's gotten, he's kind of always been a guy that's intrigued me, you know? That's a good point. That's a good shot right there.

47:21Rog:Can I just say, when you talk about players who can play many positions, We just had Serginio Dest on the Men in Blazers show. I asked him what his best position is, left back or right back. He said, striker. Bad. I tell you what, Serginio Dest is Clint Dempsey as a right back. Like that. I'm not kidding. That's what Clint. Well, that's how I used to play. I don't give you that. That's how I used to play. I started, you started to give more, more money if you score goals. So I started to simplify my game. When I first came on the scene, all I wanted to do was try to make people and cross people up.

47:53You say I would clink shots from like 50? Before every training session, he's doing tricks like he's on an and one infomercial.

48:01Rog:A quick one for you. Cameron Carter Vickers, giant of a centre-back at Celtic. You know, so he has World Cup experience. But this pool, when it comes to centre-backs, I kind of feel like it's like the nine position. There's nobody's taking a hold of it. Tim Ream's 178 years old and still playing. Allegedly. Allegedly. That's like Freddie Adu saying he was 16. But you look at the pool, and there are some players, much like Aiden Morris, who have not gotten their opportunity. And Austin Trustee, he's not getting an opportunity. This is why you're seeing a Tristan Blackman at 29, 30 years of age make his debut with the U.S.

48:38Men's National team. So I don't know how much stock Marisa Pochettino is going to put into. He's already been at the World Cup. He can help me out because he's got the experience. He's a flyer for me. He's got half a foot in, half a foot out.

48:51Rog:Herc, this one for you. Gio Reyna, fresh start in Germany. I mean, by the way, when you've got Freddy Adu empathizing with you, it's like that, I mentioned him twice now, that's a tough look. They're not the same. I don't think they are in any way, shape or form. I respect Freddy, but they're not the same. You just had Gio on your show. I mean, he's a man emotionally who has got... I asked Gio, I was like, hey, were you surprised you didn't get called up for these set of friendlies? and Gio goes, I can't be surprised. I've not been playing. I need to play. There seems to be some maturity, accountability that comes with Giovanni Reina.

49:29I'm not going to sit here and pretend to ignore his ceiling, which to me is the highest of any player in this pool. When we look at the finals that the U.S. men's national team has played versus Mexico versus Canada, he scored goals, provided assists. He's been a big-time player, and he's 22 years of age. he broke out of the scene when he in Dortmund is 16 years old you know he he was because of his ceiling always leaving us wanting more while giving us some so he's a guy that I can't for the life of me see not being on that plane here in the United States in the World Cup I don't know how you feel about Clint but I think it's I mean I'm a big fan of him yeah but his injuries have really hurt his progression and his ceiling and his potential of where where he's gonna go you We don't know if it's a situation where is it the fight or is his body holding back from winning that starting position and playing week in and week out.

50:24So I would like to see him get fit. I hope that this is a new chapter for him because I think, like you said, he's one of the most talented players that we have. And in big games, especially when you look at CONCACAF Nations League and the semifinals and finals, he's one of the guys that was producing in big moments. So, you know, fingers crossed. His body gets healthy and he can show he can play week in and week out. Am I being selfish here? Because I think it from a striker's perspective. And you know what it's like being a striker. You're thinking like, I kind of want to play with that guy.

50:53Because why? Well, he's going to drive forward. He's going to get you the ball. He's going to get you the ball. I mean, and that's another thing that we miss. You look at the last World Cup and you watched, you know, from this current squad we're watching now, you had McKinney and Moussa. And Moussa was one of the guys that was breaking lines and had another defender had to come to him, which allowed someone else to be open and finding them. and McKinney getting forward with crosses in the box and on set pieces being dangerous. And you're just not, you're not seeing that. So when you talk about a midfielder, like for me, when I played with Fulham and Tottenham, Moussa Dembele, having a player that can beat someone one-on-one and drive and cause problems, it opens up the game for everybody else.

51:35And that's what we're not seeing. Yeah.

51:39Rog:Columbus, can I ask you, Gio Reyna on the plate. can I just tell you Gio Reyna the redemption story would be one of the most joyous human stories of this cycle I wish this human being with his friend Joe Scali just delirious joy in the season is that a combo is it a package deal like he can only come if Joe Scali comes by the way I don't mean to tell you I was quite affected being at CHA the shelter today there were certain dogs and certain cats that you could only take as a duo and I wanted them both and I just say Joe Scali and Joe Rayner I'm not a football manager but I would take them both last one for you this is for you Clint it's a complicated one I mean emotionally and tactically and footballing but it's in goal the position that you would try and score on but it's my friend Matt Turner I think he's on the plane I mean he's someone that stepped up big for us when we need us during the last World Cup qualifying cycle.

52:38He played well in the last World Cup. I give him a lot of credit for taking the risk to go to Europe and try to test himself, right? And, you know, maybe it didn't work out. Well, it didn't work out for him, right? And so he's come back now. He's trying to show that he's getting games and getting that confidence and being able to be back to what he did best was his shot-stopping ability. There was always a little bit of question marks around his passing in the back. But for me, for what he's done in the past, as you talked about Hadji Wright, I think he's a player that's on this plane. I mean, two shutouts at the World Cup, right?

53:15By the way, is Patrick Schulte injured? What's going on here?

53:20Rog:Yeah? Just to be clear, Patrick Schulte on the plate. I'm not arguing this. I'm not arguing this. That was a given. this brings us to the players we've been told this is the highest accomplished pool of all time player per player on an individual basis to be candid I agree with that in American history going back to George bloody Washington um but where are we now is it that they're not that good or that the idea of football is not quite there so the plan doesn't allow them to execute is it that they're lost? I mean, your point is that we're just not watching our best players altogether in the camp right now.

54:01Well, I think it's been the perfect storm in the wrong way, right? Like it's been a situation where it looked like everything was moving in the right direction and that we never really progressed. Then you had the failure of Copa America being the first host country to not get out of the group. And then you had a situation with a new coach coming in, players knew kind of where they fit into things and now it's kind of reshuffled things and everybody's trying to figure everybody out again we've had some injuries to some big players i think anthony robinson was a big miss for us players have taken risk of going to teams and i i give them a lot of credit for that but having that not work out has hurt some of their play and has caused the team to regress in in that way and it's just one of those things that we need something to get us jump started again.

54:54And like we talked about tomorrow night, playing against Japan, a ranked team, getting a good result at our, one of our favorite cities, Columbus, let's get back on track and get everybody believing again. Let's get fans in the crowd. And like you said, to do that, you have to inspire us. And you talk about having a soccer culture. Well, a soccer culture that I would want is someone who cares whether it's a friendly or an important game you want to win yeah absolutely you know I look at this pool of players and in my mind you just look at where they play and where they've played and the platforms that they've had no other pools had those platforms but they didn't have the luxury of when Clint broke out in 2006 World Cup of having a Pablo Masturani a Claudio Reyna having a Casey Keller or you know Brad Friedel when I broke in I had Clint I had Michael Bradley at Tim Howard at Carlos Bocanegra these kids it was like a lord of the flies mentality they got thrust onto the scene by themselves with no real veteran leadership so they're they're still learning as they go they've never had that veteran presence now tim ream's a veteran presence but tim ream you know that was his but to your point looking back at last world cup that was his first world exactly exactly so they'll get there they'll get there they're they're going through everything that good teams go through.

56:13We had our moment where the press was against us. We had our moment where the coach was being doubted as well in Colorado versus Costa Rica. Clint scored a snow classico. Our backs were against the wall. You have to go through those moments. And what do you do when you have noise around the team and you have criticism? You go out there and you ball and you make everybody eat their work. That's the only way. That's what you do. You can't say, hey, you guys are being too critical. You go score and you do this. You know what I'm saying? Make everybody shut up. Give us a reason to believe. Exactly.

56:49Rog:I love all of this. I love it. By the way, I remember that moment. I remember that game. That moment felt like the same kind of panic, the same kind of free fall. It was a darkness. I remember parking my car. It was a tiny car. It started to snow quite heavily. I'm not from a snow place. I was like, oh, I don't know if I'm going to be able to dig that bastard out again at the end of it. it was so cold we couldn't type I typed my match report into a bin back a garbage bag uh while I was watching that game but what you guys you guys no one had played that kind of football before it's like playing in like an Ibiza kind of soap disco you're like f yeah we're gonna win this effing soap disco bastard of a game what you found a way to win but what's important about those moments and I know this team is not having to go through the world cup qualifying process But for us, when you're going through that process, you have to take all the BS away.

57:41Your back is going to be against the wall during that. And you're going to be in must-win situations. And it's gut check time. There you go. You can't have egos. You have to figure out a way to make it work. And if you look back at all the times we qualified, there were times where it could have gone either way. Almost didn't make the hex. It wasn't smooth sailing during every qualifying process. But what it does to you is it makes you a true team.

58:06Rog:By the way, I remember that game. Jermaine Jones got effed up in that game. I remember interviewing afterwards. He had a gash down the front of his leg. I said, you were going to Mexico right afterwards, I think. Yes. You were going to the Azteca. Tim Howard was out. Brad Guzan was in goal. No one loves Brad Guzan more than me. America was crapping itself. By the way, you gutted out a result with him. Zero, zero. Jermaine Jones, one of the most important players, had this huge gash down his leg. I was like, what are you going to do? He goes, we won. Who cares? I mean, that was like, I mean, you're laughing.

58:37Rog:That was the attitude. Yeah, I mean, that's what it's all about, right? If you can go out on the field and play, you're going to give everything you have for this team, for this country. It's what I always keep talking about. As a kid, it's what you dreamed about. There's nothing more special than representing your country in big games and giving them a reason to cheer and have hope. Yeah! Yeah!

59:01Rog:Anyway, listening to these two gentlemen on stage is reminding me, I mean, I don't know if you know about me, very American. He's a citizen.

59:13Rog:More American than Kenny Powers. But one of the things that made me love this team was the attitude, the belief, the confidence. Listening to you tonight, I'm like feeling it again. I hope we can all feel it again. I really do. I want to ask you a couple of quick more questions before we watch tomorrow. I want to talk about Christian Pulisic for a second he's so important to this team he played with you I mean he played joyously he stepped up as a youth he's an amazing footballer we see him play for joy with Milan we've seen him play this season deliriously I mean he's had a challenging summer we expect him knowing Christian I do expect him to step up Tyler Adams came on our show I said what is Christian to this team he's like he's the man who in moments can step up and just on his own make moments happen.

1:00:08Rog:On Saturday, Song Hung Min, 33 years old, was the difference maker. He should be bloody playing for us, by the way. That was in his contract with LAFC. Councilwoman's working on it as we speak. When you watched him play on Saturday, what was it? Was it the system? Was it just the chaos? Was it just the moment? Was it just 90 minutes? Don't judge him. Like, what was it hurt? I fully believe it was the system, the personnel. You look at the spaces he's occupying. Oftentimes him and Diego Luna were trying to occupy the same space. And then when they were building out, you had Sergino Dest on one side and you had Max Arfston on the other.

1:00:52But when those two very talented players in wide positions occupy those spaces, a Christian Pulisic's not occupying it and a Timothy Wei is not occupying it. And when they come into central positions, oftentimes they're just running into each other. And then you've got a very good, well-coached South Korean team that just knew exactly how to take advantage of the spaces. They were never put in positions where they could be dangerous. And, Kling, you know what it's like as a player sometimes. When you can't find yourself on the field, it's like you're not there. No, for sure. You talk about not getting the ball in the right positions and you talk about the pressure that's on your shoulders and what's happened in the summer.

1:01:25and trying to figure out under this new manager how you fit into this and how things are going to go moving forward. But what I will say about him is he's a player that always steps up in big moments when we needed him the most. And what I respect about him is the risk that he's taken in terms of the moves he's made in his career to the different clubs and being able to go out there and fight it out with the best. And even though, you know, at times, like when you look back to the last World Cup when he wasn't playing much with Chelsea, the way that he was still able to come back into this national team and make such a huge impact for us in the World Cup.

1:02:01So he's someone who I always believe in, and I just think it's a matter of time before he gets that mojo going again. But everybody goes through these spells where it's not really going for you, and then all of a sudden you get that lucky break, you get the penalty, or you get a deflection goal or something like that and get you back on that wave again that we talked about. So there's no bigger opportunity than the present. And that's what we're going to see tomorrow. I think he will step up.

1:02:27Rog:God, amen. I love your vision of the future. And I want to tap more into that before we finish. But I want to ask you both a quick question. These are friendlies. No one cares about friendlies. I care about friendlies. I really do. Because friendlies are all we have until the World Cup kicks off. Speaking to people within U.S. soccer, they're like, this is a process. Don't freak out. All that matters is the World Cup. You both played. Do defeats undermine players' confidence, their belief in the project, or will the players be like, these are just friendlies, don't judge us? I think it's one of those things that I hated to lose, so I never looked at friendlies like friendlies.

1:03:11It was, I want to win, I want to score, I want to keep getting better. I don't understand that mentality, that the game is just a game. It's an opportunity for everybody to get this fan base on track. It's a chance for you to try to do something special. So for me, that doesn't make much sense looking at a game from that perspective. I understand that you need to build and you need to try to find some new faces that kind of add strength to this team. But it's not like we're finding a bunch of new faces. Yeah. Even during this process. I mean, I still think you need to play your best players. You need to try to win and then kind of sprinkle in a few players here and there to see if they can cut it out and stay at that level.

1:03:56But the point that I was going to make is winning becomes a habit. And you think about all these games that we're playing. Where are we playing them at? We're playing them on home soil. Where's the World Cup going to be? It's going to be on home soil. So you need to start winning on home soil. I mean, it's just plain and simple.

1:04:18your question is the worst question for for clint because clint's the closest thing and i've always said it to kobe bryant in our sport he's got like a bulletproof mentality so he's a guy that hates to lose uh in training um and i say this in the most respectful way clint would fight you if he lost in the most respectful way he's still your friend but he hates losing losing doesn't affect them in the way that will affect most others. Now, for the 90 % of the pool, you keep getting beat, and the way you've gotten beat, it's going to affect your psyche. It's going to affect your standing. So this is an opportunity, as Clint said, for the players, because at some point, if you want to get on that plane, and we keep talking about a plane, but it's here.

1:05:00If you want to be here for the biggest sporting event in this country's history, you got to get yourself going. You've got to find something. And if you galvanize a group, a coming together, whatever it may be, if you have a talk with Pochettino, but you've got to find a way to pull people into you, into what you're selling at this next World Cup. Because right now, nobody expects anything at a U.S. men's national team. I think it's a perfect opportunity. By the way, I asked you in our Discord what we'd ask you,

1:05:29Rog:and one of the best comments I had was at Soccer Pickle, who stepped up and said, what I think is the reality. he said we could probably play Antarctica and it still wouldn't feel like a home game I've got to say I think according to you Clint to paraphrase so many of our problems will be solved if we play at Columbus on Tuesday night and then all of our World Cup group games at Columbus tomorrow's going to be a home game right tomorrow's gonna be a home game

1:06:05Rog:slightly worried about that honda factory

1:06:11Rog:i'm not gonna lie too soon honda factory too soon this is where we are i mean i want to end with some positivity i really really do i mean we've established potch needs to start by playing his best players now calling out the best players chemistry chemistry chemistry that's what we all want to see when you look at the pathway forward nine games until the world cup we know we need to work out what goalkeeper what center about what midfielders what striker let's not get hung up on that okay yeah but what's the one thing that makes you both feel a sense of positivity, of possibility, of optimism?

1:06:59I mean, I'd have to go to the fighting spirit that we have as a country. I just feel like when our backs are against the wall and when we're being tested, you normally get the best out of us. So I'm holding on to hope for that, that we'll get back on track. And we have players that are playing at some of the biggest clubs in the world. We have players that have already played in a World Cup. and hold out for hope that we have a chance to do something special here on home soil, like what you saw in 94. Some of these young kids, myself included, got a chance to see my first World Cup match in the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas and started to believe that maybe one day I could represent my country in a World Cup.

1:07:38And because of that World Cup, you had MLS that came about. Like, what is that next level that we can get to here? What can we do to change our development and create more creative and attacking players? So that's what I'm looking forward to. yeah honestly it's it's the hope for what could be if 1994 spawned what is today major league soccer and inspired millions of kids to kick a soccer ball and out of that came players like clint dempsey imagine what because till this day the 1994 world cup is still the most successful world cup in fifa men's history imagine what the 2026 world cup could be i think it's a great opportunity clint said it best this country loves to get behind their teams if you can make a run And if you can give the United States and America something to cling on to, a little bit of hope, they're going to show out.

1:08:23Oh, H.

1:08:25Rog:Oh, my God. Let's have some of that on Tuesday night. I do need to get a quick prediction from your baby. I can't stand the anxiety. Spoiler alert Tuesday night for us. Bad news. Japan, quite good at football. Very good. True collective. Confident on the ball. Whip smart. I've got to say, I went to bed last night. I thought about Karamitoma running our center backs over and over and over again. It twisted my brain. Tell us what you imagine will happen. Clint, you first. What will the final score be? I got one nothing. Christian goal. There we go. Did any of you guys watch the Mexico versus Japan game?

1:09:05I fell asleep to it. It was the worst game I've ever seen. Japan's not won like in five games. I think I'm going to go. I think I'm going to go with a positive result for the U.S. as well. I think they're going to find a way to, it won't be pretty, but I think with the people at Columbus behind them, they'll find a way to scrape through. I'll go 1-0 as well. God. Let's go, let's go.

1:09:23Rog:Let's tell you, I'm not pandering. I think it's going to be dosa zero. However you say in Japanese. I'm not pandering. And by the way, Clint will still miss a penalty in the 95th minute. Who really believes he missed it here? Raise your hand if you really believe he missed it on purpose. by the way if you're watching at home 80 % of the people just raise their hands I love America I really do I love it more than Drewski at a NASCAR race Columbus let's hear it for Clint Dempsey and Eric Gomez

1:10:05oh my god I feel better after that don't you

1:10:11Rog:God bless. Can I just tell you, Clint Dempsey is an incredible American. They are joining me at the bar post-game. Clint will tape a live episode of the Juice of the Final Whistle after our Dos Acero tomorrow on YouTube. Come and join us, whatever the result. It may be 3-0. We are delighted to bring you the Men in Blazers City Guides, presented by Visa. A joyously assembled guide to the best places to eat, drink and explore and watch the beautiful game across the country. It's a guide aimed at helping fans experience the city as a local. It's built by you, our listeners, recommending some of the best small businesses in your communities.

1:10:57Rog:Like the finest Viet Cajun in Houston. Yes. The best burrito in San Francisco. Yes. Where to savour lemon pepper wet in Atlanta. Yes, yes, yes. A massive shout out to our sponsor Visa, who's made this guide possible. Visa gives local business owners the tools and support to be ready for moments exactly like this one, welcoming you to enjoy the games this summer. Start planning your journey at meninblazers.com backslash cityguides. Queen Carvania stood haloed by the morning sun. An army hung on her every word. My champions, I have sold my chariot on Carvana. It was a lovely SUV, an inexplicably queenly offer.

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1:11:57Rog:For the rest of the show, we want some uplift. shift we won't be reminded of our passion as a nation our strengths what we're capable of collectively when we do things the right way and sure we want to celebrate this place this city this heartbeat columbus in the present it's magic it's future also it's past so to kick this off let's bring us someone i revere with the the greatest respect that i can carry a gen who's been on some incredible magical journey from northern France to the Midwest of the United States. Thierry Henry's assistant at the outset, becoming a singular iconic coach in his own right.

1:12:42Rog:His surname has provided a distinct style of play that I will say has earned respect in MLS, but also when I go over to the Premier League, everybody is asking me about this human being he's on all of their charts I'm like he's under contract he's not going anywhere

1:13:01Rog:he's an inspiration he really is the first black manager to win MLS Cup the purveyor of Nancy Ball Columbus please be upstanding for your incredible coach the Columbus cruise wonder Mr. Wilfred Nancy

1:13:24Just a matter of time

1:13:30Rog:Oh my God, I want to run through walls after that, I've got to tell you. Wilford, you're an incredible human being. You really are. As a football manager, you're incredible. Thank you. But your journey through life to football has been incredible. Born in France, northern France, Le Havre. a mother West African, father from Guadalupe. Your dad was in the Navy. So like in your youth, you thought you went everywhere. But then you arrived here in landlocked Ohio.

1:14:11Rog:Which is like mind-blowing, your journey, your story. If I went back and told young Wilfinansi, your name would become world renowned in Columbus, Ohio. What would he have said? Maybe. Petitre. We can do this in French. Petitre. Petitre. Yes, peut -être. Did you know where Columbus, Ohio was as a child? No, not at all. Isn't that incredible? Like the life and football, you have no idea. It's just magical. It just brings you to it. It's what you make of it is all that matters. No, for sure. That's why I am really grateful to do this job, you know, because I don't know my future. I didn't know my future.

1:14:58And because of that, I am able to travel a lot and to see different cultures. And for me, this is so important for myself, but also for my family.

1:15:08Rog:you have seen so many futures you've lived so many futures you've brought the future to so many thousands of human beings who've reveled in what you have created it's incredible though that journey semi-pro lower leagues france league two league de what's it you arrived with a backpack and a dream of coaching here in north america you moved to Montreal eventually, under 14 girls. Thierry Henry, a talent spotter. He knows it when he sees it. He made you an assistant. Montreal impact then. And then you moved here in 2023.

1:15:56Rog:For a team then that just yearned to make the playoffs again. When you arrived in this city, Columbus, What were your first impressions of this time? The first time I came here was with Montreal. And I remember when I stepped on the pitch, I felt the energy. And I said it to Issa. I told Issa that, wow, I would like to attack all the time here.

1:16:27And yeah, and after that, so I ended up here. and honestly, I remember the first game that we had here. It was amazing, you know, with the big T4. And also the fans, the way they welcomed me, it was amazing, the people here. And, you know, they have a lot of respect, you know, they respect me a lot. I can go to have a bit of time with my family outside. So, yes, they're gonna come to see me, but they will respect, you know, my privacy. and for me this is really important so that's why for me the transition between Montreal and to come here in United States for my family also new culture, my kids my son was not able to speak English now he's struggling to speak French so now this is amazing again this is my journey and I am really really grateful for that

1:17:25Rog:we had Mo Salah on our show recently is Mo Salah okay in Columbus still learning Mo Salah we had him on our show he talked about his kids being scousers being like children of Liverpool he was thinking about should I stay should I go but he's like my kids they're Liverpoolians like do you now feel are your kids becoming like Ohayans yes listen it's so difficult to explain you know when we didn't know how it will happen with my kids, with my family because it was the first time and now my son and my daughter but especially my son as soon as he gets home he likes to throw his bag and I don't see him because he's with his friends around and he has a play date every day and he plays soccer he plays football, American football too so he does a lot of things like this so for me, this is what I was looking for So this is amazing to see that.

1:18:27Rog:I've got to say, as a dad, my only rule would be, just don't hang out with Frankie Hayduck until you pass the age of 21 and you'll be okay. But when you're selling this city, Columbus, or when you're describing this city to friends of yours, to family, in France, in Guadeloupe, how do you describe this place, the essence of this place to them? For me, so far for my European friends, this is like Dortmund, the club Dortmund. Because the same passion, yes, we can talk about the color and so on. But also for me, this is more about what the club has been saved. you know so so so for me why I am totally aligned with this club is because the story of the club obviously but also what happened a few years ago and I'm not a big fan of luck I believe that in life we provoke luck and I think that the story that we that we had in the past and also recently is because of all the people we fought a lot for this club and also the fans.

1:19:53And when I travel every time to see or to watch a game or to play, I can see that the education but also the understanding of the game that the fans have for us, this is so amazing. So that's why for me, this is not luck, this is alignment.

1:20:12Rog:I tell you, I'm clapping. I don't like to project myself into your story and your collective story. I don't know if you know this about me, I'm an Everton fan. I like to believe Everton and Columbus have a deep, deep connection for a variety of reasons and not just Brian McBride in every regard. The man who just shouted, I hope not, I just want to say he's from Cincinnati. But I want to know, ultimately what you're saying is when this collective fan base have looked at the darkest hour, the darkest existential hour, not existing, you appreciate the depths of everything. Yeah, totally. And ultimately, when you've lived that and survived that together, which you guys have, to build upon that, only joy can ensue.

1:21:05Yeah, I totally agree. That's why, you know, yes, we like to play in a certain way, but for us, effort is this is the most important because this is this is the courage like you put over there this is so important and that's why this club is still here the way this man says courage is so much cooler than how i said good say it again french gliss i love it courage oh my god i love

1:21:30Rog:this man but it was churchill who ultimately was a bit of an asshole i don't mean to be rude about him but he did say the greatest feeling in life is to be shot at without result and I think Columbus crew the team leaving and you guys feeling the the absence of it and then building upon it and living every minute to glory it gives you a sense of perspective and wonder ultimately I don't like to project you savor every moment together every goal every great moment dances as if you're at your own kid's wedding, which ultimately is the secret of life. But I'm projecting Columbus.

1:22:09Rog:But you've been gifted with a wedding. You've been gifted with Nancy Ball.

1:22:17Rog:I watch it from afar. It's intricate. It's interchanging. I mean, the way you say it is so much courageous. You probably say, I love it. It is courageous. Football, with your name on it, though, it's amazing. It's impossible to think of Columbus in an hour without you. I mean, you're forever tied to the colour yellow. MLS Cup champs in 2023. League Cup champs in 2024.

1:22:47Rog:Wilford, our national team is having a moment. It's incredible to hear a coach talk about what's possible with a football team that has incredible young American elements of it. What makes your football different? Can you describe it in your own words, what Nancy Ball is and what American football can be? Because I love it. Again, with a lot of humility, you know, at this level, we all know how to coach. It's all about the passion that we have and also who we are as a person. And that's why for me, you know, I like to say this example is Mourinho apparently wants to defend only, but he won title.

1:23:30And Guardiola wants to attack only and he won title. So at the end of the day, this is about, I don't do this job for only winning. Because if I don't win, I'm fired. Simple as that. So this is the way we live. So for me, my definition of my job is to help my players to achieve their dream. so if I can be with my staff and the people around me help them for 1 % to achieve their dream so this is what I want to do and after that success for me doesn't mean anything because the definition of success could be different from you, from myself and so on so we try to play in a certain way that this is a connection between the way we want to live and what we do on the pitch because I believe that the way we play can help every kind of human being when they're going to face something to at least try to do something.

1:24:33And I believe that for me, maybe because this is my background, but this is the only way for us and for me to maximize my chance to achieve something. So that's why I try to transmit that to my players. but again without my staff but also without my players I am nobody because they are on the pitch and I know that they want to do well but I know that sometimes they are going to struggle and I know that there is also the ego part I know that there is also a lot of things so my job is to convince them and transmit what I want to see on the pitch and after that I try to be open with them So that's why for me, this is a connection between relationship between two people.

1:25:22But also I have to be clear also the way I want to play, because without clarity, it could be a mess.

1:25:29Rog:Can I say, I've interviewed a lot of managers before. I always ask, like to be a manager now is so hard. You have to be a sports psychologist, a tactician, a communicator, a data analyst. It's a huge list. I always ask, what is it that you really excel at? Arsene Wenger was the first manager I ever interviewed. He said, I am an educator. I want my players to be smarter as human beings. By the time that you're the first person to say, I want to make dreams come true. And I love it. And by the way, you've done it here in Columbus for these human beings. But one of your key phrases, which I love, and I actually have tried to live my life by since we first spoke last year, Impossible is an opinion.

1:26:20Rog:It's amazing. It's amazing, right? I mean, by the way, you're the embodiment of it. You moved here when you were 18. You came to New York as a tourist. You had to leave. Now you're back. I mean, you've become an MLS Cup champion. When you think about this city, this fan base, this team, and how you facilitate dreams, Wilfred? Even dreams that seem beyond comprehension or reality when you arrive. What is it about this place, Columbus, that lets dreams become a reality? You know, so when you talk about impossible is an opinion, for me, you just have to, if you don't know the story, but we all know the story, but save the crew.

1:27:07This is exactly that. And I'm not saying that because I am part of the team. Yes, the organization, for sure. But my point is, when you know the story and the way everybody fought to help the team to stay in the city, if you don't fight for the team, I don't understand why. You have to stay here. You have to move. Simple as that. So for me, it's just, you know, before I accept a project, I like to understand the culture. I like to understand the people within the city. For me, this is important because I need to be aligned with my soul. and when the possibility to come here, obviously I did my homework, but I knew that it was possible to do something great.

1:28:08And to be honest, with a lot of humility, I am really, really proud of that because I wanted to do it. I felt it and we did it. But again, now this is, we are here, so we're going to be here sometimes. and the idea is to move up because this is life. The only way you are like this is when you die, correct? So it's all about like this.

1:28:43Rog:Oh my God. Wilfred, just send that to someone who considers himself dead inside. I find that more moving than you will ever know. Wilfred, last question for you. I'm not going to lie, and this is not like a connection to this in any way, but we US fans are struggling. Our team is underperforming, there's no doubt. We feel lost. I think we'd all benefit from some inspiration now. You know how to get the best out of young American footballers. You know what kind of football nation we are in our essence. You know what we can be when we dream and then we actualize those dreams. what do we have to do to unlock our full footballing potential as Americans?

1:29:32To be honest, I think that we are on the right track because I've been in the United States and in MLS for many years and I can tell you that this is not the same four, five, six, seven, ten years ago. But sometimes as a human being, we have lack of patience and we want to have everything quick. But if we do the math between how many years that MLS started versus in France, England, Mexico and so on, I think that we are pretty good. so we just have to be patient and I think that the players we have the players you can see that a lot of scouts they like to come here because they know that American players they are good and they are not so expensive so now this is the reality for the moment but step by step it's going to change so in the past the amount was not the same and it's going to change so I think that yes we are struggling a bit with the national team But I remember in 1998, when France became champion, the coach, Aimé Jacquet, had the same issue.

1:30:52You know, because he was trying things. He was trying to find a way to understand a little bit better the players, understand how we can associate players. But people didn't understand that. and sometimes as a coach it's difficult to explain everything. I'm going to give you an example. With my front office we have a meeting once per week and my owner one day told me that what do you think about this guy, a game that we played? And I knew that for him it was not so good and I told him for me it was good. He told me why. I told him because he did something that we work on during the week but you didn't know that.

1:31:38So because he did that for me it was really interesting and now he's going to be able to catch up everything. So my point is yes, we all want to win and when we win this is good but we have to respect also the defeat. This is the way it is and just be patient regarding the situation with the national team and after that Mauricio wants to win like everyone. We hate the defeat. We hate to lose. This is as a competitor this is totally normal, but we have to respect that. So that's why for me, I think that it's a process. We are on the right track. And I can tell you that a lot of people that I know wants to come in MLS or wants to be part of this project.

1:32:21Rog:God willing, from your mouth to God's ear, Wilfred Nancy. Can I say, I love this man. I've got to tell you, he is an incredible inspiration. the optimism you bring the reality that you bring the dreams that you I mean if that is your first move how do I make dreams real my god I want him to be the manager of every team that I care about including the Chicago Bears right now Columbus please be upstanding for one of your own it's Mr. Wilford Nancy

1:33:00Rog:the tiny bit of Englishness that's left in me. I don't like nice things said about me. So let's just turn whatever point he put to me for Purina! Yeah! By the way, Wilford just used 1998 as like a reason we should be optimistic. That was when we got beat by Iran and didn't get out of the group. Did not help me!

1:33:26Queen Carvania stood haloed by the morning sun. An army hung on her every word My champions I have sold my chariot On Carvana It was a lovely SUV An inexplicably queenly offer They're even coming to the castle To collect it Tonight we feast An offer you can feast on Sell your car today on Carvana Pick up fees, may I buy

1:33:56Rog:But the next man will because he made 1998 a turning point in his life. And Wilford talks about a surfer mentality in life, surfing the waves of success and failure alike. Our next guest is possibly one of the greatest surfers America's ever produced. He's also quite a good footballer. He's from California originally, but he's essentially the mayor of Columbus, right? I'm so candid with this. one of the best footballers our nation has ever produced. I want to make that case with him on the stage because I think he masks it by being, like, hilarious. And we forget how much of a high-flying wing-back he once was, fluttering in the wind with his hair as he torched down the flank, storming in the Bundesliga, ribbed by Alec Verkusen, then returning to the Columbus crew to bring championship wonder.

1:34:55Rog:possibly the most underrated icon of the men's team a gen who is from california once admitted to me that he's mentally 90 in jamaica but that columbus is always in his heart please be upstanding for one of your own the inimitable frankie ajak

1:35:19Let's go! Let's go!

1:35:45Let's keep your body right now.

1:35:50I love this guy. I love this guy. I love this guy. Columbus! Columbus! Columbus! Columbus! Columbus! Columbus! I got something for you. I got something for you here. This is life. We're up to here next year. Thank you.

1:36:33Rog:Can I say, when you throw something into the crowd, the first thing that goes to your mind when the thing leaves your hand is that Karen in Philadelphia. Like terrifying. But can we hear it for Frankie Hayden? Because that shirt felt, it just smelled of like American glory and I needed that Frankie. Oh, you know it. Just a bunch of two-footed tackles in that shirt right there. I can't tell you, I love this man. When I first met you, I was taping a podcast. It was called American Fiasco. It was about how the 1998 was the worst World Cup ever. And we'll get back to that because this man had the best World Cup ever.

1:37:16Rog:But I got to his house. The Uber dropped me off. The second I got out the Uber, you had timed it somehow. The front door slapped open. You suddenly shot out the front door on a skateboard wearing a Santa Claus outfit for reasons I don't understand because it was like late September. You grinded down the front steps. You ended with a kickflip. We charged into your house. We didn't speak. You just dragged me through. And suddenly, we were just like smacking golf balls off the deck into your back garden. And I realized somewhere between those two things was the essence of Frankie Hayduck. Part like elite footballer, which he was, right?

1:38:05Rog:And part like Willy Wonka. I mean, by the way, we ended the day by going to Schmidt's House of Sausage. Best day ever. Best day ever. Many of those. I think you missed your flight. Yeah, I think you missed your flight after that one. Frankie Gibbs, let's just have a quick beer on the way to the airport. All I can tell you is I missed my flight by about 12 hours. but all of it made me love frankie hayduck and it made me love columbus frankie roger i'll never forget that day because i was literally coming from like a cherry event where we're doing uh reading books to kids and a santa claus outfit and i was late i was super late to see you because you had arrived and you gave me the time you gave me everything i gave you the address and I wasn't there.

1:38:57So I hopped out of my car. I remember you were walking down the street to do like, look at the area and see like what it was about. And like, and I see this guy, you know, this bald guy sitting down the road. You're like, what's Michael Bradley doing in Columbus?

1:39:17I said, I'm like, and I'm like, there he is. And I come rolling down the hill. And And I just remember inviting you in, and you were like, let's hit some golf balls. And we were just going. Next thing you know, we're not even talking soccer. I think I offered you a beer right away, dude, and we hit it off. Once you said yes, because I think it was like 930 in the morning, you know. Once you said yes to a beer, I was like, this is my dude right here, dude. Let's go. Morning beers. You can't beat them in Columbus, dude. They've been used to that forever. So, yeah, with the Ohio State, and now we're doing it with the crew.

1:39:54So it's rad, dude.

1:39:56Rog:Yeah. I got two things to say to this. Number one, O-H. Oh, no. Number two, I often enter people's houses. Don't say a word to them. Just say, let's hit some golf balls. Yeah. That's how it went down in my mind. I don't know. You might have said a couple of words, and we might have hung out and shook hands or something. But I don't know. I don't remember. I probably said, let's definitely not hit golf balls and no beers. It's 930 in the morning. And that's life in Columbus. But the amazing thing about you, Frankie, to be candid, and I do want to be serious for one moment, is that you are so singular, so inimitable.

1:40:34Rog:Everybody loves you, right? I realise now it kind of masks just how incredible a footballer that you were in your prime, and you were. So can you describe to those watching this who never saw you play, young kids around America, how would you describe yourself as a footballer in your own words?

1:41:03Reckless. Reckless. Reckless, not giving a crap, fighting as hard as I can for the team, knowing my boundaries, knowing that I wasn't number 10, knowing that I had to give the ball to the number 10. But you know what? The guy who tried to steal the ball from the number 10, I was kicking the shit out of him, man. Once he started to do that, I don't know if we're allowed to cuss on this. Sorry, Raj. But man, that was kind of my mentality. I'm like, that's our dog right there. That's Guillermo. That's anyone touches him, I'm coming after you, man. And that's just kind of how I approach soccer. I wish I was skilled.

1:41:42I wish I can do the double stepovers. If you see my step over, it was no glorious step over. It was no glorious step over. It was actually a step over the ball. But in my mind, I was doing the Ronaldo. I was looking so beautiful. But it took a while before my son said, Dad, you didn't even really do a step over. What you did. What was it? I don't know.

1:42:07Rog:The person I know who did a step over with both feet. Like it was a dance off. but you played if i was to describe it to a young person you played as if you were just drunken seven or eight espressos before coming on the field yeah and that that's that's how it was energetic and that's what i did i did i did i did drink seven or eight espressos before each and that that's a minimum that's in the morning dude when we played against it italy and i think um i forget where where it was we played against italy and it was in italy yeah it was in italy But, you know, I forget. No, but what's the little town called, like, Sicily?

1:42:43Rog:It was the World Cup. Yeah, no, no, no, that wasn't that one. No, that was a different one. But, no, I had 14 espressos during that day because our game was that night. And I remember I wasn't starting. I didn't start that game. And I got into the game, and I wasn't expecting to get in. And literally, like, the first four balls, I was out of bounds, out of bounds, out of bounds. And, you know, it took me about 10, 50 minutes to get into the game every game. And Bruce Arena used to always make fun of me. He's like, what's the worst part of your game, Frankie? I'm like, everything. If you're really talking about skill-wise and stuff, yeah.

1:43:21If you're talking about heart, soul, and fight, yeah, I'm all into that. But, yeah, he was like, hey, your first 10 minutes, your first 10 minutes, Frankie, just kick it long. I don't care if you kick the ball out of bounds. I don't care what you do. and it became a theme in the huddle because you know everyone was always worried about getting rid of the ball and losing the ball and kicking it out of bounds and I was already on the next play because I did it so much I had done it so much so we would be in the huddle I'd be guys this is the time where we're gonna go give me the ball right off the kickoff I'm gonna kick it out of bounds and then we're not gonna be scared of fucking losing the ball the whole game because we're not going to lose it.

1:44:03This is it. Simple as that.

1:44:06Rog:By the way, it was never clear to me when Bruce Reno asked you what's the worst part of your game, whether he was thinking about lacrosse still. Yeah, no, everyone knew that. He was trying to go a different direction. He was not pleased with your cradling. You once told me my goal was a tackle. Yeah, my goal was a tackle, man. Let's get this argument over really good. The deuce was the deuce. That's the deuce. I'm the second deuce. The deuce was a deuce. He scored the goal. I wish I could have given the number two that day because he is the one, and I have no problem with being the two, the second deuce.

1:44:44No problem. I do deuces all the time, so that's no problem. But yeah, good times.

1:44:50Rog:Well, save that for your other podcast, the espresso drinkers, today. I mean, I loved watching you as a player. You had that always advanced, never retreat mentality that I think we all crave as US fans, right? I mean, you're also the only American player to salvage something from that 1998 disastrous three games and out World Cup campaign. That will take the field and au revoir. But you salvaged it. You moved to Bundesliga to buy a Leverkusen. I'm not going to say those were the days when an American playing in the Bundesliga was a rare thing but let's look at the welcome photo

1:45:38I had no idea what I was doing they were just like they were in Germany they were like hey we're going to put you on a surfboard I was like oh cool this is what you do here they were like no there's the Rhine River right there you can serve it I'm like okay Is this gonna make me cool with the fans? I don't think they're gonna be just psyched about this look right now, dude. But, you know, they did it, you know? They're like, oh, is he in vacation mode? I think that's why they always called me Urlabe, which means vacationer in German.

1:46:11Rog:Did you think they did that for every player? Dude, I thought they did that for every player. The German gets on the... The German puts on the shirt and gets on the surfboard. Dude, they were speaking to me in German, and I was like, yeah, totally. Totally. I didn't know what the heck they were saying. I'm like, yeah, totally photo. Yeah, no problem. Put this on in German. I'm like, what is this? And then there it was. I thought it was cool. I thought it was cool. Because no one ever talked to me before. I couldn't walk down the road in the States where no one would talk to me. I couldn't even walk down the road in Germany without someone going, and it's so cool to see how it's changed now since you know uh now everyone knows everyone around here and you know all the soccer guys so it's pretty cool to see yeah yeah yeah i mean i just love this every german new signing must now put that jersey on but pretend like they're in hawaii five and uh and just done on the surfboard half of my mind was in that place when i was in germany because it was cold windy and rainy and i wasn't playing much we had a good team and I was just along for the ride, dude.

1:47:21It was fun. And you were just watching

1:47:23Rog:Pac-A-Max tapes of Patrick Swayze and Point Break in your life. It was good. I was watching Zay Roberto do the real stepovers. And I'd get the bonus after every game we won. So I go on, go on, Zay. Go on, Zay. I mean, this is a lead because you are a child of California. There's humor in that photo. But you have talked about how surfing was your first love when you were growing up. you become as synonymous with this incredible city of Columbus as Matthew McConaughey is with Austin in a way. I have watched you.

1:48:00Rog:Which one are we booing, Columbus? I'm so lost now. Let me bring this back to your happy place. Purina! Thank you. Can I just tell you, I've watched you in this tournament. I've seen beers tossed at you in the stadium. You have caught them without looking, ripped them open, downed them in one chug. You are a gent who oozes aura out of every pore. So can you describe, in your own words, as a surfer boy, how have you fallen in love with this landlocked city of Columbus, Ohio? The question is, how can you not, dude? That's just for real. That's just for real. I had no idea where. I didn't even know what Columbus was.

1:48:47I was like, hey, I'm like, I just want to get back to the States. I wasn't playing much in Europe. Like, hey, you're going to want, we're sending you to Columbus. I was like, well, cool. I'm like, how's that place? I don't even know if I knew where it was. And I was like, I just wanted to get out so bad because I wanted to play soccer again because I wasn't really playing out there. And then I came here and instantly just felt the love of what a Midwest Ohio city and town is. just, they opened arms right away, pounded beers right away, right up my alley. The first guy I ever met in Columbus was a guy right down the road from Barley's Brewery, and yeah, Scott Francis, he just passed away, but a dear friend of mine, I'm sure a bunch of you guys know him, because it's nice to soul, nice to soul, but I fell in love with Columbus right then, but they put me in a hotel that was right next to a nice brewery, and I met one of the best guys ever.

1:49:46Like I said, he passed away, but he was my friend for life. He taught me about Columbus. He taught me about what this town is, and I miss him already. But, man, what a perfect introduction to a city that I wanted to battle for and fight for and be here for because I had heard from Jeff Cunningham. He goes, man, you know Jeff, yeah. He's like, man, you're coming to Columbus, man. He goes, hey, man, they're going to love you there. I was like, why that? I go, why? He goes, because you're just fighting work. That's it. I was like, let's go, dude. That's all I want to do is fight and work.

1:50:24Rog:I just love that the German team put you on the surfboard, but the Columbus team put you right by a brewery. Yeah. One team knows. Two of my loves. Two of them, they were both right. They were both right, but one of them was righter than the other is all I'm going to tell you. I do need to touch upon this pretty quickly because one of my favourite stories about you, your playing career, unbelievable, I believe, to be candid. You're the Crown Prince Jester, so your masks get a little bit. Unbelievable. Your international career, slightly stymied. You were drunk for one of your first call-ups. You missed the flight.

1:51:04Rog:Christian Pulisic would never. But you ended up as a stalwart on the right flank for the USA. You're on the bench for that first Dose Cero, played the full 90 2005-2009. What happened in that game and in the tunnel? Did you really get slapped in the face by a Mexican assistant? Oh, yeah, totally, dude. And I loved every bit of it because I used to... So we had a coach by the name of Clive Charles, and I don't know if any of you guys know him. Yeah, way back in the day. And he played for West Ham. Aston Villa or West Ham? West Ham. And then he was big in Seattle and then came to Columbus. So he was a big influence on my life.

1:51:48And at the time, it was right before, I think, Sir Rondolo had torn his ACL. And I was surfing all summer. And he gives me a call. and he goes, Frankie, hey, you think you're fit? And I'm like, I don't know, I've been surfing all summer, coach. So, yeah, like normally when I surf all summer, I come back and I win the beep test. So, you know, I'm good with that. I'll be ready for it. And he goes, okay, well, we're bringing you to the Olympics. So we play against a team, I think it was Galatasaray in a warm-up game. And I had never played defensive center mid in my life. and Clive Charles comes up to me and goes, hey, you're playing against this guy who, I forget his name.

1:52:38I'm brain farting on it. But one of the main guys of Galatasaray. And you know, Stoichkov. Risto Stoichkov.

1:52:47Rog:I can't remember his name. He's one of the best guys from America. Pulisic. No, you know what? I wanted to say Haji because in my mind, Haji and like, they were both kind of a little bit of the same player. Stoichkov. Yeah, Stoichgoth. Yeah, incredible. And he goes, I want, and I had no idea. This is how clueless I was about soccer, really. No idea who this guy was. He's like, yeah, you know, he's a good play. He's going to come out. Scouting was really good. Yeah, that was really good scouting, obviously. And he's like, hey, if he spits on you and slaps you in the face, you've done your job. He goes, I want you to man mark him the entire game.

1:53:26I don't care if you touch the ball once, Frankie. You just sit and look at him and stare at him the whole game. When he gets the ball, you sick ball. You sick ball. And that's what he said. And that game, I did it. And, of course, Stoich got spit on me during that game. And I, yeah. Touchdown. Touchdown. So, you know, I did my job that game. And I guess my point being was, hey, man, just go out there. and if a guy slaps you in the face and a guy is that pissed where he can take it to the next level like that without saying, hey, you want to go in a ring? I was happy. I was laughing at it, dude.

1:54:06Because it was such a soft slap. I was like, dude, that's how you're going to slap someone, dude? Like, oh my God, dude, that was a joke. It was such a little spit.

1:54:16Rog:It was not a real spit. By the way, when you go and take the acclaim of the crowd, I want you to all spit at Frankie. By the way, he respects a lot. You've done your job, Lenny. I'll be standing over there in the back, but God bless. I mean, these people love you. There's an affinity between you. I love them. I love them, man. By the way, it's amazing. This man is one of your own, but he was born in California. And I've said to you, you are the lungs of American football. In our best days, this city has been our home. We've roared in this city. This city has lifted our men's team when we've needed it.

1:54:57Rog:We need it right now, Frankie Hader. When you watch this men's team... What makes you believe that tomorrow night in Columbus, this will be the place where we will find our mojo again? Well, just for one, because it's in Columbus. That's an easy one. We don't lose here that often. So if I'm U.S. soccer and we have a big game and I want to win, what other place are you going to win than here? I mean, we beat the best team, what, three, four times in a row ever in the biggest qualifying moments in this city. Okay, you play them a fifth time. You're not going to beat Mexico every single time you play them at home.

1:55:37That's just, it's really hard to do. And that we did it that many times, it says something, I think, for this city. It says something for a home base of where U.S. soccer should be. I mean, really. You heard Clint talk about it. You hear Tim Howard talk about it. You hear every player going, dude, Columbus is it. And it's a core of Columbus people, but you also get everyone coming out from everywhere else in the world just loving Columbus. It's the center of America. They can come easily right to here. This needs to be our home base. If I'm a player and if I want to win anywhere, and speaking in the past, this is the spot.

1:56:21This is the spot that has the most energy, it has the most passion. They want hard workers, and they want people to disrupt the game. And this is what we do, man. This is what we do. And that's what kind of U.S. soccer kind of is, disrupting the game for me. And that's what we did in the 2002 World Cup. We were glorious. We didn't play pretty soccer. You know what? That was the furthest we've been in a long time. And you know what we did? We had grit, we had heart, and we had fight. The rest, you didn't watch that tournament and go, dang, what a bunch of skilled players. what you saw what you saw was a freaking team it was a freaking team and and that's what soccer is to me man that's why i loved it that's why that's why i chose soccer over surfing because you know surfing you can be the star it's all about you the soccer it's like you get to revel in it with the rest of other guys you get to feel the glorious wins with all your other teammates When you're a single individual doing surfing, it's like you get to celebrate with yourself and maybe your parents.

1:57:25Dude, I get to celebrate with Chad Marshall, Chad Marshall's mom, dad, brother, sister, mom. And they're all together, dude. We're everyone. No one expected us to win that 08 Cup. Before the 08 Cup, we were supposed to get last place by Soccer America. Soccer America put us in last place. I put it up on the bulletin board and we rambled off it. Next thing you know, we're hosting the cup and these fans are right behind us doing it. So it was bad. America! America!

1:58:02Rog:Columbus! So let me ask you this. Frankie, if you were given a chance to go into the locker room tomorrow night in Columbus before the game, speak to those players, what would you say to them? Hey, look at your guy next to you. Make sure you're going to freaking battle for him. He's going to lose the ball. Pump him up when he does. He's going to get beat. Make sure you're right behind him. When he gets beat, you're freaking, you're double tackling him as hard as you can. If it's a foul, no problem. But if it is a foul, make sure it's a yellow. And make sure, make sure, make sure you let that guy know you want to take that guy one-on-one again.

1:58:41This dude's going to be right behind him. And I would hope the same for me, dude. And that's what was so beautiful about that team. And that's what we need to get back to. I think right now we're at the stage and we're playing so many different players, so many different, man, we just got to get the core together and have those guys sit together and go, dude, this is about us because the world's trying to make fools out of us. Are we going to let them or are we going to not? And it's as simple as that. That's how it took every game. I'm playing against this guy. What's this guy going to do to me?

1:59:13He's going to try to nutmeg me. He's going to try to make me look like a fool. Fuck that, man. Are you fucking kidding me? Are you fucking kidding me, bro? You're not making me look like a fool, man. No way. And your family's watching you. Your parents are watching you. Your best friends, best friends, best friends are watching you. You don't want to be look like a... So you got to flip the hat, dude. You could be all Frankie Haley, cool on the outside. Yeah, after the game, kill it. During that fucking game, dude, you better bring it, man. Yeah, you better bring it, dude. And drink more espressos.

1:59:50Drink as many espressos as you can, dude. If you're feeling a little low and you feel like you want to do a little tackle a little bit higher over the ball, drink a couple extra espressos, dude. That's what I tell my kids right now. I'm like, hey, dude, just make sure you get at least one double leg tackle over the ball. That's it. Don't hurt the kid, but just make sure you're ready. because you're going to be playing against a Brazilian one day and you're going to be playing against a German one day. You make sure that they're going to try to make a fool out of you. Don't let them do it, dude.

2:00:21If they try to, don't let them. Jay Roberto will make a fool out of me so many times in training, but he was hurt a lot.

2:00:32Rog:I highly want to recommend Frankie Hedrick's book, What to Expect When You're Expecting. It's an incredible parenting book. I just want to be clear. But last question for you. I wish we'd done this all night. I feel electric. Are we going to win the World Cup, America? There we are. Let's go. Frankie, you are a child of California. You're a surfer. You're a skateboarder. You skateboarded here tonight. You're a free bloody spirit. You burst onto that World Cup stage in France. We played terribly. You seized the moment. You seized the moment. I didn't do it. By the way, that was someone from Cincinnati.

2:01:19Rog:You could live anywhere. I love Cincinnati, just for the record. Rose Lavelle. Yeah! I was half-hearted, Columbus. Columbus is your home. Look at this audience. Explain why, because it makes no sense to me, man. You are outdoors. You waves. I mean, we talked about bass fishing like a madman before you got out there with Clint. I didn't even understand what the hell you were talking about, but I loved it. If you were to give a love letter to this city of Columbus, this poem of a city, this encapsulation to me of American identity, what would you say, Frankie? What is its essence? Oh, man, just that they open you with open arms, man.

2:02:05It was one of the strangest things of my life coming to here because I came from Germany from where it's the opposite. You would go in a locker room and it was dead quiet. It was like concentration mode. And everyone was like, whoa. And I was like, whoa, what the hell is going on here? This is a whole different level. This area, when I came back here, it brought me back to life again. because everyone was open arms. Everyone was welcoming me. And I'd just come from a spot. And this is no shade on the German players or how Germany is, but it was the opposite of what I was. And so when I came back here, I got to live again.

2:02:52My life got brighter. The people, Frankie, hey, boom. Hey, let's have a beer after the game. And it was living. You know, I felt like I was alive again. And then on top of that, they started loving soccer. And they started getting really into it and really into it. And I knew from when I came here, I saw the passion for what they had from Ohio State and what the football was here. I'm like, whoa, these people are unbelievably passionate about their sport. How can I get them to like soccer? And they already loved it anyways. But these fans, and I think myself and a few of the other guys, we've all taken it to another level.

2:03:37And for me to see the level from where it was and to where it is now with stuff like this and the new stadium, a thing that the players dreamt about back in the day of we wish we had that. I mean, what these people have brought and what the city has brought and the love for soccer and, you know, the dose of zeros, man. This is what it is about. And for this football kind of town to really become a football town, man, that's all I wanted. That's all I wanted, dude. All the skateboarding down the road with the flags before the game, putting on the cape. I mean, this is what it was for to bring this to Columbus and to bring soccer here.

2:04:26and these guys have done it. And man, I couldn't be more proud of them and proud of a city to be not from, but have as my second home, I guess you would call it, because it is really my first home because it's the first home I ever bought. So this has been my first home and this has been my first home. So I claim as my first home, but man, I love this place. I love these fans. And I know all, every 25 ,000 that are in that stadium, I've high-fived them, Probably their daughters, their sisters, their wives, their friends, their boys, their girls. I'm not talking about just girls. No, everyone, the family.

2:05:05It feels really special. Raj, it really does. This is a real special feeling. It was a real big thing for me, dude, because I lost the joy a little bit, to be honest, in Germany. You know, of like just knowing that you're going to work your ass off all the fucking day and you're not going to maybe play because you're a foreigner and there's only, you know, only four foreigners could play at that time.

2:05:29Rog:Frankie, the skateboard was a mistake. I'm going to tell you it was a trap. There was no surfboard. There was no surfboard here. There was only joy and wonder and these incredible human beings. You have grown to develop deep roots in this inimitable soccer town. You've delivered glory. May we see it again Tuesday night. But ladies and gentlemen, please be upstanding. for your mayor, to Mr. Frankie Haydick. Love you guys, Columbus. Can I just say, towards the end of the post-game show on Saturday night, with Clint Dempsey, after the career defeat, I asked Clint for a moment of optimism. He said, the rain can't last forever.

2:06:12Rog:I made the mistake of Googling that right afterwards, and I learnt about something called a Cornean pluvial event. which happened five million years ago in which widespread rain hit earth for a million years. Or more, said Google. F Google, right? We're here because we love football. We believe in this team, the United States team. We dream about this team. We dream great dreams. Wilford Nancy has shown us tonight the power of dreaming. You guys have shown us the power of dreaming and big dreams. When that team was leaving, you dreamt it would stay and it would. So Columbus, tomorrow night, let's savour in your presence.

2:06:59Rog:Let's savour these moments. And I do want to say when things are dark, I always find myself stripping football back to its bare essentials, to what's really important. And I want to take a minute to read a letter that was sent to us, to the Men in Blazers at Gmail account from a GFOP, Gil Rutledge, who wrote the following. He wrote, Rog, I'm looking forward to seeing you with Clint and Herc and Frankie and more on Monday night, even though I'm worried it might feel vaguely like a week. I'm thrilled by the prospect of being surrounded by fellow US football fans because it's amazing to remember but we're not alone.

2:07:44Rog:Being a soccer fan in this country can be an isolating experience. Along with my wife, I'll be taking my dad, who raised me to follow both the US men's national team and the US women's national team. We travel to see them. He started his career in Columbus, where I was born. You can clap that because Gil then moved to Cincinnati. But he said, we traveled to watch the team in Chicago and Winnipeg, but Columbus was our most frequent and cherished spot. I was there for Dos Ciceros. Michael Bradley scored twice on my birthday. It was one of the greatest gifts of all time. I've been fortunate to have had a father who's helped foster and nurture my love of football.

2:08:34Rog:It's always special to watch games with him. I've been lucky enough to be able to return the favor and take him to games of the US, but it feels really full circle to be able to take him back here to Columbus for US Soccer's game here tomorrow night. Let's go! And I want to say, I found this letter so unbelievably moving. A reminder at its core of what it's all about, the connections we make, the memories we forge between the generations, between mothers and fathers and sons and daughters, the feelings we all share in good times and in bad times. And Gil, I think you're here tonight with your father.

2:09:23Rog:And I hope we get to have a pint after the show because your letter summed up the essence of why we watch football, why it's the game that we love, and why this city, Columbus, represents it better than anywhere else in this nation. So let's savour every second together, right, Columbus? Our network is filled with dog lovers. What I've seen Purina do with my own eyes and my own heart for pets, for dogs and cats is magnificent. I can't say enough about it. When you love this US team, you love something so deeply and profoundly. The overlap is amazing. God bless you, Purina, for all you have done, all you're about to do for our team in America.

2:10:09Rog:Please support them with all your hearts. I want to thank everyone at the Columbus Crew for their love and support. This is a special city. This is a special club. This is a special fan base. And to close this night, I want the last word to be from the fans themselves. so I want to invite onto stage members of the Nordeka the Fave Supporters Club they are amazing they've seen it all and I mean it all they've lived great days they've lived darkness they've always been there that's the spirit we need to channel that's why I would say that's why I came here tonight they are amazing actions speak louder than words so I want to thank you all for having me I really really do I'm humbled to be here Come and have a pint with me, Columbus This is Rod saying Here's a Nordeka Go Go USA Courage

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