The United States is on the verge of a significant moment in men’s soccer. With the World Cup set to take place next summer—its first since 1994, alongside Canada and Mexico—there’s a palpable excitement in the air.
The US Men’s National Team (USMNT) has had mixed successes recently, managing to reach the knockout stage in the last two World Cups. Clint Dempsey, a former star of the team, feels optimistic and believes that, perhaps, soccer could indeed become America’s next big fascination.
“Thinking back to the 1994 World Cup and that first game in Dallas, it’s remarkable to see how much the sport has developed here since then,” Dempsey noted in a recent chat. He pointed out that there’s often a surge of interest every four years, but he contends it should be more consistent.
He mentioned how figures like Lionel Messi can captivate the media, but a standout performance by the US team could really elevate the sport to new heights. While he expresses some nerves about the team’s future, Dempsey eagerly anticipates a solid performance at the Gold Cup to gear up for the bigger event in 2026.
But why the nerves? Well, the team struggled to move past the group stage during last year’s Copa America, which Dempsey described as a setback. “It was disappointing. The only host nation that didn’t progress from the group stage,” he admitted candidly.
Despite this, he believes in their potential to bounce back. Dempsey stated that the current head coach, Mauricio Pochettino, just needs a bit more time. And with a strong showing in the Gold Cup, the team could regain its footing and aim for something remarkable.
The World Cup has this innate ability to engage viewers and foster growth in the sport. Dempsey feels a personal sense of duty to contribute, which is why he’s teamed up with Abbott, the health and nutrition partner of Real Madrid, to launch the Abbott Dream Team.
This initiative involves soccer tryouts for young athletes aged 18 and 19 in various cities like Chicago, DC, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Dallas this summer. “I’m thrilled to give young talents a platform,” he shared, reflecting on his own beginnings in Dallas. “It’s a full-circle moment for me. These players will learn about nutrition and how to extend their careers, if they’re fortunate enough to turn professional.” Dempsey, who is a father of six, humorously mentioned his busy life sometimes feels like being an Uber driver, yet he remains committed to supporting his kids in their pursuits. “This is what life is about—providing opportunities for others to achieve something special,” he added.
Looking ahead to the World Cup, Dempsey hopes that the term “failure” isn’t applicable when it comes to the USMNT. He believes the key is getting out of the group stage, emphasizing that not advancing would be seen as a setback. “There’s a lot of pressure to perform well as a host country. If we don’t manage to get past the groups, that’s a failure. It’s essential to trust the process, and then anything can happen in the knockout rounds,” he concluded.
