United States president Joe Biden phoned the USMNT to offer words of encouragement ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The tournament finally got started and kicked off on Sunday when hosts Qatar took on Ecuador. The World Cup has been hugely controversial in its build-up with critics pointing to Qatar's human rights record and attitude towards homosexuality.
Manager Gregg Berhalter will lead the United States against Wales in their opening Group B match next week. They will be desperate to get off to a flying start before mammoth tests against England and Iran will decide whether they reach the knockout stages or not.
While they are in a competitive group, the USMNT received a call from president Biden to inspire the team ahead of their match with Wales on Monday. Berhalter spoke to Biden with the whole team listening.
President Biden cracked a joke to open the call. After being put through to Berhalter and the team, he said: “Coach put me in, I’m ready to play.
“You guys, I know you’re the underdog, but I’ll tell you what man you got some of the best players in the world on your team and you’re representing this country and I know you’re going to play your hearts out, so let’s go shock them all.
“Keep trusting one another, play as hard as you can and for you and your families, your teammates, and the whole country is rooting for you.”
Berhalter was clearly touched by the gesture, and replied: “That’s a very nice message Mr. President. The whole team is here right now and we really appreciate your support - and we’re ready to go.”
“I wish I were there to see you,” Biden continued. “I really do. Go get ‘em guys, just play your hearts out. I know you will. I know you will.”
“We got this,” Berhalter concluded.
The US national team arrived at their Doha base last week, with some players joining at the weekend following their final club matches before the break. Christian Pulisic, the captain of the USMNT, featured for Chelsea in their defeat to Newcastle last Saturday before jetting out to the tournament.
The USMNT failed to qualify for the 2018 edition of the World Cup in Russia, but they did reach the Round of 16 in Brazil back in 2014. The team were ultimately eliminated at the hands of Belgium despite the heroics of goalkeeper Tim Howard.
