USMNT's Biggest Gold Cup Game Yet 🇺🇸🏆

Hail GFOP! 

I type with fingers braced for all there is to come. The Club World Cup kilters into its knockout stage hoping to ride the delicious prospect of Messi going against one of his former clubs, PSG, for the first time, to step up from its current status as footballing elevator music-level background noise. The Gold Cup would bite your arm off to have that volume. The Spirit Airlines of international football tournaments. As our “Temu USMNT” prepares to gripple-grapple Miguel Herrera’s Costa Rica, it remains a tournament fighting to get itself off mute. It does not have to be this way. Our region of CONCACAF has never been stronger. I do believe this is a tournament that can grow into a brand that emanates a sense of self-love. More, much more, on all below. 

ii. I cannot describe the joy we have experienced on our barbecue-inflected travels across Texas with Clint Dempsey, meeting all of you GFOPs at live shows in Austin and Dallas. Clint is a joy. A Bass Assassin who gave himself completely and utterly to our nation, and never felt more alive and dangerous than when wearing a USMNT jersey. I have known him for 15 years, but this version of him, reveling in the opportunity to travel the nation and connect directly to the fans, acting as a reflective voice of the American game at this crucial time, has been a profound joy to experience. We will be back on Sunday night at the final whistle of our U.S. B-Boys-Costa Rica quarter final. Come and join us and commune with King Clint directly on YouTube. I have learned so much and there is talk of a fishing trip to Nacogdoches, TX… 🇺🇸🎣

More: Listen to our post-Haiti final whistle episode of THE DEUCE. ♠️🇺🇸🇭🇹 

iii. We have started to film a ton of World Cup stuff, including the product of a glorious day in the studio with Keegan-Michael Key. I adore that man. He is an immensely emotional storyteller. I felt exhausted when I rolled into the shoot. By the end of it, I was overwhelmed with joy and strangely alive which is a rare feeling for me. Keegan is also proper, proper football, despite the fact that he is a Liverpool fan (Why are all the most empathetic, funny human beings in the world Reds?). This series will start to roll out next week. 🤣🏆

iv. It has been magical to beta test our new Discord channel this week. We have learned so much with the hardcore GFOPs who are in there. Our goal was to create a safe, non-toxic space to talk football and live games. To do good things with great people, in a way that is social media-proof. It has been that and more. To commune with friends old and new—including so many OG GFOPs like Josh Kail and Don Steele—has been a slice of magic. I took part in our first-ever Discord AMA yesterday, which was truly joyous—and we will be back next week to rock it again. If you want to be able to say you were an OG member of this community, click HERE to join the early membership queue. 💬

v. I am off to Washington D.C. this weekend. I love that city (Toledo Lounge, The Big Hunt, Planet Fred IYKYK) and cannot wait to return to the stage at the historic Howard Theatre on Monday night at 7:30 p.m. to celebrate the latest installment of the epic 49th Parallel Rumble between our U.S. Women and Canada. To take the stage with Sam Mewis and Becky Sauerbrunn, as well as Canada manager Casey Stoney and Washington Mystics players, Georgia Amoore and Sonia Citron, and more, will be to bring some joy to the world. We will be raising a pint together post-show, so stay tuned on those details. There are about three tickets left for this one, so grab ‘em and come and give us all a hug. 🇺🇸🇨🇦

vi. RORY SMITH IS COMING TO AMERICA 🍫🍊 I know I just made him sound like Prince Akeem, but he will be joining me for a load of live show tapings during a Week ‘O Wonder at The Michelob ULTRA Pitchside Club in New York City in two weeks’ time. We will have THREE MiB events over the course of the week. Come join us, raise an Ultra, and ask Rory your questions as we tape a live show with him before and after the games:

• Semi-Final Watch Parties 🎉

  • Tue 7/8: 3–5:30 p.m.

  • Wed 7/9: 3–5:30 p.m.

• MiB Live! with Some Lovely Special Guests 🎙️

  • Fri 7/11: 6 p.m.

All of these events are FREE, and we want to raise a glass with all of you. All we ask is that you RSVP for the events (you can for all three at once if you’d like) as an RSVP will be needed to enter. Just be sure to select the MiB events you want to attend when signing up. The more of you we can see, the better. RSVP RIGHT HERE. 🍻

ALSO: New York City. Heads up, we have one of the most joyous shows of the year, coming into your loving arms on July 25. Blues fans are going to love this more than I can say. This coming Monday, if you happen to be traveling over from the UK for Everton’s game in the U.S. OR you’re a part of an official Everton Supporters Club in the U.S.… make sure to check your emails. You’ll be the FIRST to get all the details for the show AND have the first chance to get tickets and commune with one another. Then, this coming Tuesday, July 1, we’ll open up tickets far and wide. MARK YOUR CALENDARS and set those alarms. This is a special one. UTFT 💙

PS – Nine years ago today, England lost to Iceland and crashed out of Euro 2016. A game that had to be seen to be believed. It birthed this incredible moment of in-studio commentary from Steve McClaren. It will make your day feel better, I promise. 🇮🇸🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿💀

Courage,

ROG

Our G-League USMNT vs. Costa Rica. Not a Must-Win. But Def, a Must-Not Lose (Sunday, 7 p.m. ET, Fox) 🇺🇸🇨🇷

Gold Cup about to get serious. Eight teams enter, four teams leave. It’s quarter-final time in the world’s most prestigious tournament named after ABBA’s greatest hits collection. For our shorthanded U.S. boys it has been the best of times, worst of times. We have won three on the bounce, but it has been against some truly shoddy opponents, and our young hopefuls are yet to demonstrate cutting edge, creativity, or striking options. The knockout rounds will be our moment of truth. A fight-filled Costa Rica await in Minneapolis Sunday night. They are undermined by suspension and injury, including three-goal striker Manfred Ugalde. Despite the presence of talismanic goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who stood on his head in the goalless draw against Mexico, the U.S. should have more than enough to overcome their challenge. Here are the issues as I see them:

1. Who will step up and make themselves undeniable to seize this gift of an open audition for a World Cup place?

Our play has been so deferential and flaccid. These players have all worked so hard to get here. Pochettino has gifted so many MLS players an opportunity they never dreamed they would have. Won’t somebody step into the crucible with swagger and bellow back at the abyss to show they belong? What is holding them back? This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take fate into their own hands. Fight without fear. This is your moment boys, make us proud.  

2. Is Patrick Agyemang gonna grab the role of third striker on the A-Squad?

Gent is the “Pineapple on Pizza” of strikers. Many have lauded his hold-up play and physical gifts. Others see a raw, uncalibrated project player who has struggled with his coordination at times against even the weakest opponents. I love him, his story, and his attitude. American Beto.  

3. Where’s Johnny?

This was supposed to be Hot Cardoso Summer. The 23-year-old defensive midfielder has thrived in Europe to the extent that Atlético Madrid are reported to have paid $35 million for him. But what is he showing—or not showing—in training that LDLT and Sebastian Berhalter are getting minutes ahead of him?  

4. Losing is not an option here.

Make no mistake—though, this is hard to type: This U.S. team is in a dead wind right now less than a year out from the World Cup. Drop “USMNT” into Google news—coverage of the team, the players, and the storylines is negligible. Fan engagement on social media—even of the diehard core, is a fraction of what it was in 2022. Tough tests—the possibility of Canada in the semis, and Mexico in the finals, please god, lie ahead. This U.S. team has the individual talent to win and reignite the core fan group and create the energy and joy we all cry out for.

Rogstradamus 🔮: The U.S. make heavy weather, continuing to lack pace and sharpness in the final third, but find a way to win 1-0. I see a Berhalter goal, huge celebrations on the field, and a Pochettino grimace on the sideline.

📺 Clint Dempsey and I will get together on YouTube at full time to tape a Do It Live! immediately after the game on Sunday night. So come and join us, and ask us your hardest and best questions about football, fishing and life – no matter who wins. 🇺🇲🍻

Other CONCACAF Gold Cup Quarter Finals Are Available… 🌎🏆

Before the USMNT take on Costa Rica in the last of the CONCACAF Gold Cup quarter finals on Monday, there are three more matches to get through. Jesse Marsch and his very fun Canada side face Guatemala in Minneapolis, and should they win (which they really should), the Wisconsin boy gets to take a pop at his home nation in the semi-final, should the USMNT win (which they…well, you never know). On the other side of the quarter-final draw in Glendale on Sunday, stealth-power Panama play Honduras and Mexico face Saudi Arabia, who as this year’s debuting guest team will be hopeful of knocking out the nation who have won this trophy more than any other. 

Panama vs. Honduras (Saturday, 7:15 p.m. ET, FS1/Univision) 🇵🇦🇭🇳

Mexico vs. Saudi Arabia (Saturday, 10:15 p.m. ET, FS1/Univision) 🇲🇽🇸🇦

Canada vs. Guatemala (Sunday, 4 p.m. ET, FS1/Univision) 🇨🇦🇬🇹

USA vs. Costa Rica (Sunday, 7 p.m. ET, FOX) 🇺🇸🇨🇷

And: Herc Gomez is taping a Gold Cup Preview with me today. It drops this afternoon. 🪙🏆

More Football Did Ya Say? 📰

• Lovely piece on Brighton and how their cutting edge use of data has given them a beautiful mind and a competitive edge.

• Erling Haaland has reached the 300-goal mark in 370 games… faster than Messi and Ronaldo. Chat GPT in cleats.

• Sad to see Olivier Giroud’s MLS stay was so fleeting. Love that man and wish him and his family well on their return to France.

Calling All Football-Loving Pets 🐶🐱

We have partnered with the two-legged people at Purina to create Pet FC, a new initiative where we will be featuring YOUR four-legged friends that show a true love of football on par with their human counterparts. 

We want your dogs that are up at 6 a.m. with you watching Premier League fixtures. Cats named after USWNT stars of past and present. Pets with true football skill (videos very much appreciated) and pets that think they have football skill. All of that, and EVERYTHING in between.

Click the link below to submit your pets and pet stories and we will be regularly featuring the best of the best on our social channels. What's more, we have Purina prize packs for every pet featured. We can't wait to celebrate the two, objectively, best things in the world: pets and football.

Submit your Pet FC stories here ♥️

Support Zack Steffen and VOYCE NOW 🧢

I have always loved Zack Steffen and the amazing work he has done off the field with his efforts to support youth sports, mentorship, education and equality initiatives through VOYCE NOW. He has collabed with London designer Alma de Ace to produce two limited edition bucket hats that raise money for his org. Support them if you can.

Incredible Games to Watch This Weekend 📺

Club World Cup - Last 16 🏆

Benfica vs. Chelsea (Saturday, 4 p.m. ET, DAZN) 🇵🇹🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Although Benfica’s patchwork squad of lads and dads impressively beat and shaded Bayern Munich to top Group C—arguably the tournament’s biggest danger zone—Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea will be respectfully pleased that the Portuguese side are their second-round opponents in Charlotte. Benfica’s Argentinian World Cup winner, Angel Di Maria, doesn’t play like a 37-year-old, but the fact they’re so dependent on him and his old compatriot at the back, Nicolás Otamendi (also old man, aged 37), means Chelsea’s shiny new striker, Liam Delap, will be ready to take names. After scoring his first goal for the club against ES Tunis on Wednesday, at $41 million, he already looks like that new favorite shirt found on a back rail at T.J. Maxx. Chelsea are low-key becoming a very good football team, so Maresca will believe his blue sea of cocksure youth will see them drown their opponents and progress to the finals.

PSG vs. Inter Miami (Sunday, 12 p.m. ET, DAZN) 🇫🇷🇺🇸

The moments of passion and tension in this tournament have been few, considering the marketed budget of it all. This game, between two clubs who have never clashed before, is unique thanks to the glorious context; a true narrative. Two years ago, Lionel Messi crossed the Atlantic Ocean to join David Beckham’s fledgling Miami project directly from PSG. The club felt like a wreck when he left, but have since become the team of their dreams once he, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappé departed the club. The manager who stripped PSG of ego and finally brought them European capital is Luis Enrique, who won his first treble at Barcelona 10 years ago with Messi as the protagonist of that team. Enrique’s opposite in the dugout is Javier Mascherano, another pivotal player in that 2015 Barca side, and with other former Catalonian Kings, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba facing their old boss, it’s like a high school reunion with millions of dollars at stake. There are multitudes of textural layers to this fixture. Messi has never faced one of his former clubs before. This clash is a marketing fantasy, and although the European Champions are favorites, as Messi proved against Porto, and in every Michelob ULTRA commercial, he can sometimes simply decide to win a match.   

Flamengo vs. Bayern Munich (Sunday, 4 p.m. ET, DAZN) 🇧🇷🇩🇪 / Palmeiras vs. Botafogo (Saturday 12 p.m. ET, DAZN) 🇧🇷🇧🇷

There’s plenty more footballing wonder in the Club World Cup to nourish you throughout the weekend, as undefeated Group D winners, Brazil’s Flamengo, take on German omnivores Bayern Munich in Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium. These two have provided the U.S. with some of the best on and off-the-field stuff this tournament, which can also be said for other Brazilian outfits, Palmeiras and Botafogo, who go head-to-head in Saturday’s early knockout match in Philadelphia’s oven-adjacent conditions. 

More: Here’s How the English media see the tournament.

MiB Mad Libs 📝

This week’s phrase is:

“My team, ____, need to sign ____ to have a good season because ____”

Email me your submissions to be in contention to win a coveted MiB patch.

There were so many brilliant entries, but last week’s winner was the mighty Charles Heckman:

“The one change I would like to make to our U.S. team is to bring back those denim jerseys. It will change EVERYTHING.”

That jersey. We did not know it at the time. Polyester high point.

Not Football and All the Better for It 📖

• Nine Pressing Questions About ‘The Social Network Part II’. #10 - Was David Fincher busy?

• Devastating and beautiful: At Jackie Robinson's high school, Altadena rebuilds after fire.

• 100 BEST MOVIES OF THE 21st CENTURY. Where else are you gonna see “Superbad” right next to “Memories of Murder”?

• It Was Already One of Texas’s Strangest Cold Cases. Then a Secretive Figure Appeared. Say LESS!

• Don't give Tom Cruise any more ideas: The Best Movie Stunts of the Past 100 Years. 

• Inside the Exclusive, Litigious World of Luxury Fitness. This stuff doesn't happen if you're doing 16-ounce curls and minding your own business. 

• This song got me through the week: “Late Nineties Bedroom Rock for the Missionaries” by Benny Sings. 

• I loved reading this: “The Sporting Spirit” by George Orwell. Thanks to GFOP @SPW567, who recommended this to me in the YouTube comments.

Dear Rog…GFOPs Write ✍️

Thanks to Michael Madison from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania who wrote in with this delicious Diego Luna story:

“GFOP since 2014, first Raven. Just a big +1 from me for Diego Luna. Because I played youth soccer with Diego's dad, Beto, back in the 1970s. This was in Menlo Park, California, where my family was the OG family of suburban soccer. My father founded and coached the very first AYSO team in Menlo Park, starting in 1970. The Menlo Park Pythons. I was the nine-year-old center fullback. My younger brother was a lethal #9. As all of us got a little older and played into the mid-and-late 1970s, recreation-style AYSO games on Saturdays eventually grew into competitive, California Youth Soccer Association games on Sundays. Beto Luna was one of a bunch of kids from Mexican and Mexican-American Redwood City families who turned out to play CYSA soccer with us. Beto then was just like his son today: an unorthodox looking but buzzy energizer on the field and a bubbly presence off of it. It's great to see Diego carrying on a family tradition that goes back decades and lighting up the USMNT today. U.S. soccer has come a long way, but its roots go back even farther than some people know.” 

Rog writes: Michael Madison, Double M. I love this story. Diego Luna thrills me. His attitude and the way he plays with the same joy he had as a kid. It is fascinating to hear it is in his DNA. Roll on Sunday. May it be Beto and Diego’s day.

Keep sending your stories and questions to [email protected].

To Better Days Ahead for All.

Let’s not take a moment watching football together for granted and make great memories.

Big Love.

Courage,
ROG