USMNT emphasizing the importance of a fast beginning in their home opener

US Men’s National Team Prepares for World Cup Match

IRVINE, Calif. — As the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) gears up for their World Cup game at SoFi Stadium on Friday, players have shared their feelings about stepping onto the field. The excitement is palpable, but they are conscious of the need to avoid a slow start like they had against Germany, which ended in a 2-1 defeat despite an initial strong performance.

Midfielder Cristian Roldan addressed this on Tuesday, saying, “Getting an early goal would be great. If we apply pressure and start off strong, we can build momentum. After the 15-minute mark in the last match, we seemed to find our footing.” He emphasized that a solid start could be vital for advancing past the group stage.

Roldan continued, “The first 15 minutes of the first game really set the tone for the tournament. We can’t afford to let our guard down, like we did against Germany. That’s when everything can shift.”

However, despite hopes for a lively atmosphere, ticket sales for the match remain uncertain, with many still available at face value through FIFA and resale platforms. This leaves questions about the crowd’s energy during the game.

While the USMNT has received enthusiastic support in cities like Charlotte and Chicago, and even saw 5,500 fans attend their practice in Irvine, there’s a lingering feeling that they often face an away game’s vibe, even when in the U.S.

This World Cup has seen contentious ticket pricing, with some matches, including the host’s opening game, costing more than others in the group stage.

In theory, a packed home crowd should provide a significant boost for the USMNT. Past tournaments have shown how host nations like Russia and South Korea have thrived with fan support.

Goalkeeper Matt Turner stated, “We’re not really concentrating on ticket sales. What mattered more to me was seeing those 5,000 fans here yesterday.”

Turner mentioned that no decision on the starting goalkeeper has been made yet—he and Matt Freese are still in consideration. The team isn’t ready to announce anything publicly on the matter.