Clint Dempsey on USMNT’s 2026 World Cup Potential & Why Soccer Could Come Home Under Pochettino

! youtube.com/channel/UCwWgXewMHxlPkP5FkxoZvKQ

Clint Dempsey joins Rog for a wide-ranging, honest conversation about the state of the USMNT as the road to the 2026 World Cup continues. From the Nations League exit to squad building at the Gold Cup, Clint breaks down where this team stands, what still needs to click, and whether the U.S. is truly ready to compete on the world stage.

They dig into Clint’s mindset heading into the 2006 World Cup, how tournament pressure changes everything, and what lessons this current group can take from past generations. The conversation also covers Mauricio Pochettino’s influence, Christian Pulisic’s leadership, the search for a true No. 9, and key questions around Gio Reyna, Chris Richards, Diego Luna, and potential surprise omissions.

Rog and Clint debate goalkeeper choices, depth across the squad, and how the U.S. stacks up globally—before making predictions and defining what success should realistically look like at the 2026 World Cup.

00:00 -- Summing up 2025 for USMNT
02:36 -- Nations League Exit
06:17 -- Squad Building at Gold Cup
11:35 -- Clint's Mindset at 2006 World Cup
13:22 -- Mauricio Pochettino
16:23 -- Are USMNT World Cup Ready?
18:21 -- Christian Pulisic and Building Chemistry
20:32 -- Who will play #9?
21:39 -- Gio Reyna, Chris Richards, Diego Luna
24:47 -- Surprise Squad Omissions?
26:16 -- Starting Goalkeeper?
27:57 -- USMNT Strength in Depth and World Standing
32:35 -- Predictions
34:00 -- Success at World Cup 2026?

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