How Team USA is inspiring the nation with their faith
Former pro soccer player and Seattle Sounders chaplain Jesse Bradley discusses the U.S. Men’s National Team’s historic start at the 2026 World Cup, winning its first two group stage matches since 1930. Bradley emphasizes the team’s inspiring public faith, leading to Bible studies and prayer after games, and how it unites Americans through soccer, a sport now surging in popularity.
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As the U.S. men’s national soccer team heard the final whistle blow at Lumen Field this past Friday, they also heard thousands in the sold-out crowd cheering and singing following a 2-0 victory over Australia that punched their ticket to the knockout stages of the World Cup.
But there was one specific song that rained down from the stands and onto the pitch: “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” famously sang by John Denver.
There’s an origin story behind why that song specifically was chosen for the moment where Team USA wins a World Cup match. FIFA actually asked teams to submit potential playlists for warmups, goals and wins.
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Fans of the United States cheer before the international friendly match against Germany at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill., on June 6, 2026. (Daniel Bartel/USSF/Getty Images)
Well, U.S. Soccer said it consulted with the players, as well as those inside the organization, about what songs should ring out from the speakers during matches. The curated list was looking for songs that were both representative of American artists and would be good sing-along tracks for fans in the stands.
Among the list were classics like Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer,” Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” and Take Me Home, Country Roads.
“Sweet Caroline,” though, is used by England in this tournament, as is the classic Oasis track, “Wonderwall.”
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So, “Livin’ on a Prayer” remained on the playlist, but former U.S. Soccer employee and now FIFA executive, Amy Hopfinger, made the call for “Take Me Home, Country Roads” to specifically be used.
As it played over the speakers, the crowd drowned out Denver with its collective bellowing to the players. They clapped and saluted the rendition of the classic folk tune in Seattle as well as Los Angeles, where the USMNT won its first World Cup match — a 4-1 dominating victory over Paraguay.
A young American soccer fan cheers before the international friendly match between the United States and Germany at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, on June 6, 2026. (Andrew J. Clark/ISI Photos)
The USMNT is hoping to hear the song again on Thursday in their final group stage match against Türkiye, though the match has no significance for either team. For Team USA, their win over Australia cemented their spot in the knockout stage as well as giving them the Group D win for the group stages.
As a result, the USMNT will be heading to the Bay Area either way following their next match, preparing for a Round of 32 matchup against a third-place team from either Groups B, E, F, I or J.
Fans of the United States cheer during the international friendly match against Germany at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill., on June 6, 2026. (Omar Vega/USSF/Getty Images)
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Tremendous momentum has been built for the USMNT, and going into a final group stage match without the worry of being bounced from the tournament is certainly no greater feeling for a squad using their home-country advantage.
They will hope to hear more fans singing their now-viral team song as they continue to advance in the tournament.
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