How Team USA inspires the nation with their faith
Former pro soccer player and Seattle Sounders pastor Jesse Bradley discusses the U.S. men’s national team’s historic start at the 2026 World Cup, winning its first two group stage games since 1930. Bradley emphasizes the team’s inspiring public faith that leads to Bible studies and post-match prayer, and how it unites Americans through a popular soccer sport that is now emerging in soccer.
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When the US men’s national soccer team heard the final whistle at Lumen Field on Friday, they also heard thousands in the sold-out crowd cheering and chanting after 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 field: “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” famously sung by John Denver.
There is an origin story behind why that song was specifically chosen for the moment Team USA wins a World Cup match. FIFA actually asked teams to submit potential playlists for warm-ups, goals and victories.
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USA fans cheer before the international friendly match against Germany at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois on June 6, 2026. (Daniel Bartel/USSF/Getty Images)
Well, US Soccer said it consulted with the players, as well as those in the organization, about what songs should play over the speakers during games. The curated list looked for songs that were both representative of American artists and would make great sing-along numbers for fans in the stands.
Among the list were classics such as Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer”, Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” and Take Me Home, Country Roads.
However, “Sweet Caroline” 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 US Soccer official and now FIFA boss Amy Hopfinger specifically called for “Take Me Home, Country Roads” to be used.
As it played over the speakers, the crowd drowned out Denver with its collective roar for the players. They clapped and cheered the rendition of the classic folk tune in Seattle as well as Los Angeles, where the USMNT won its first World Cup match – a dominating 4-1 win 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 Images)
The USMNT hopes to hear the song again on Thursday in their final group stage match against Türkiye, although the match has no significance for either team. For Team USA, their win over Australia cemented their place in the knockout stages and gave them the Group D win in the group stage.
As a result, the USMNT will be heading to the Bay Area either way after their next game, preparing for a Round of 32 matchup against a third-place team from either Group B, E, F, I or J.
USA fans 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 worrying about being bounced out of the tournament is certainly not a great feeling for a team using their home country advantage.
They will hope to hear more fans singing their now-viral team song as they continue to progress in the tournament.
