THE USMNT'S BIGGEST GAME IN EIGHT YEARS

HAIL GFOP!

I type with fingers clasped together in prayer that Soccer’s Coming Home. How are you feeling as our boys hurtle towards a Round of 16 Clash against the Netherlands, with their testicles still intact, as World Cup Fever in the United States is turned up to 11? Can they really do it? Here is my topline thinking: After what we saw yesterday, with Japan smiting Spain despite having only 18% possession and Germany being cold cocked out of its second straight group stage, everything is possible. Qatar banned all the beers, but somehow we got ourselves the drunkest World Cup of all time. 

Final Group Stage games today. Brace yourself. We are about to enter a very different tournament. The wide open, yet treacherous waters of the knockout rounds. USA will face a canny, potent, tactically superior Netherlands. England face a true test in Senegal.  

I am not going to lie. I can barely sleep right now. I am experiencing emotions which, as a fan of Everton, Chicago Bears, and the White Sox are entirely foreign to me. I feel pulsating bolts of optimism. Or, at least, delusional optimism in the face of all evidence to the contrary, which is perhaps the greatest American Quality.  

First of all, what makes me proudest in this moment – this time of chaos and division – is that we have a young Men’s National Team who are presenting a kinetic, tenacious, diverse, eclectic, positive American face to the world. Perhaps just as importantly, they are bringing a sense of hope, optimism, and unity to our nation when that feeling is in very short supply. No matter where you live and what you believe in, these guys can make you feel a sense of connection and joy.  

And perhaps, best of all, they are bloody good at football. Don’t take my word for it. Dutch coach Louis van Gaal said so this morning in his press conference, praising the US conviction and energy, hinting that this will be a battle between United States optimism, athleticism, and fearlessness and Dutch experience, tactical acumen, and Cody Gakpo’s goalscoring potency. Van Gaal is undefeated since returning for his deeply personal Last Dance with the National Team. Jesse Marsch came on the pod yesterday and said it was hard to analyze the Dutch challenge. While he was bullish on our American chances and broke down a pathway to victory, he also raised the possibility that the Dutch were playing within their abilities in the group stage, like an elite sprinter doing just enough to get through the qualification rounds and saving their energies for the medal rounds.  

🗣️ LISTEN TO JESSE MARSCH PREVIEW USA-NETHERLANDS HERE

As for our United States boys – they have played buccaneering, intelligent, collective, fearless football that has made our hearts soar. They have also played caution-filled, subdued, disjointed second-half fare which has tightened our nation’s sphincters. John Muller noted in the Athletic this morning that through the first 10 days of the World Cup, the United States ranks ninth for expected goal difference when the score is level, one spot behind England. During minutes when they have a lead, the U.S. ranks dead last, behind Saudi Arabia. The good news is Gregg Berhalter told the press he is optimistic that Pulisic’s NON-GRUNDLE injury (pass it on, not in the balls) will heal in time to pass the Dutchie on the Left Hand Side.  

Ultimately, this game is going to be decided by how much gas our gents have left in the tank. They ran so much against Iran. The midfield trio in particular have had an ultra-marathon of a group stage in which the entire team ran 38.1 kilometers further than their Dutch opponents. I talked at length to Jesse about his approach to player recovery, as well as the experience in 2010 when we surged at Algeria with wonder, but punched ourselves out in doing so and were dead legged in the Round of 16 against Ghana. The Dutch camp are said to be battling flu – so there will be an intangible on their side too. 

Here is what I believe: If the US can cut off the supply to Cody Gakpo, this game will come down to a test of their mentality and energy levels. I have spent the year podcasting with Tyler Adams, a gent who has used this tournament to show the world what a humble, intelligent leader he is. The thing that has struck me from our time together is his fearlessness. In the past, the US players I know will admit that when they take the field in a big game – say Belgium in 2014, or Ghana in 2010 – though they professed confidence outwardly, in their hearts, they did not truly believe they would win when they took the field. This generation of players – Tyler, Christian, and Brenden - believe that unshakably. I admire their belief so much and pray we will witness 90 minutes where the dreams for which they have sacrificed, struggled, persevered, and battled together win out.  

Slight challenge that there is almost nothing to dislike about the Dutch. A peerless footballing tradition on which much of the modern elite game is based. A delirious culture. Stroopwafels. Rutger Hauer. Famke Janssen. I guess we can hold them accountable for unleashing Tiësto on the world. The best I got is the old Michael Caine/Austin Powers line,  “There's only two things I hate in this world. People who are intolerant of other people's cultures and the Dutch.”  

Let’s make World Cup memories together. We will be LIVE on Twitch through the game (details below). Come and join us. These US Men’s Round of 16 experiences are so rare in our lives. Let’s savor each and every one.  

I am about to head to Nashville. Let’s Savor every second together America. 🇺🇸

P.S. This Washington Post profile about Men In Blazers’ growth and the World Cup surge is really beautiful. Being described as a blur of “Americana and khakis” is a life highlight. As is this line, "His bald head gleamed under the fluorescent lights, and there were faint rings under his eyes. He was glowing."

🍺 Knockout rounds. Going to need more beers. Don't want to leave the couch. Order Budweiser via Drizly and get $5 off your first order when you use the code: BUDXMIB Courtesy of Drizly. New Drizly users only. Must be 21+. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Per applicable law, value may be applied towards order total or shipping or delivery fees. Includes orders of non-alcoholic items. Void where prohibited. Expires on 12/31/22 at 11:59 EDT. 🍺

2. Our US Content that will take your Hype Levels to 11 🇺🇸🦅

a. We spent so much of the year preparing for this US campaign. So many of you are new GFOPs who have just joined us. 

Here is a chance to listen to so many of our Baby Eagles’ stories before the biggest clash for the USMNT since 2014. Matt Turner, Yunus Musah, Brenden Aaronson and, of course, Tyler Adams. Listen to their stories here

b. Go! Go! USA!

Re-live every moment of U.S. Men's World Cup history with me and Ted Lasso creator Brendan Hunt on Go! Go! USA! Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

3. Join MiB Every Step of the Way over this Epic Weekend of Destiny

i. WE WILL BE LIVE ON TWITCH DURING THE GAME, starting at 9:45 a.m. ET where we have been for every USMNT match during this World Cup. If you are asking, "What's a Twitch?" Think "Manningcast" with Rog in the Chad Powers role. And for this game of games we have an incredible lineup of special guests. Jose Andres, that incredible chef and human being who has been a long time hero of this show. Also, from "Ted Lasso," Kola Bokinni, aka the best Captain since Tyler Adams. And YouTube hero Flula Borg. 

And Sunday, we'll be back on Twitch at 1:45 p.m. ET for England vs. Senegal. The guests for that one: none other than the People's Captain and Rog's partner in Pod on "The Women's Game, Presented by Paramount+" Becky Sauerbrunn. And returning to Men in Blazers, from the Miami Heat, Duncan Robinson. 

ii. SUNDAY EVENING LIVE IN NASHVILLE, Sunday, Dec. 4, we'll take the stage at the Wild Horse Saloon for what promises to be a night of nights as we welcome singer-songwriter, former UNC linebacker, and Hendricks Motorsports pit crew alum (what a life?!)... Chase Rice. Plus, longtime GFOP, from Nashville SC, a bonafide MLS legend: Mr. Dax McCarty. TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE HERE. 🍻🍻🍻

iii. MONDAY NIGHT IN ATLANTA we're coming through for some Lemon Pepper Wet, and while we'd travel that far for the 12-piece alone, we're also stopping by The Eastern for a Live show Monday night with GFOP Waka Flocka Flame, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, and new president/CEO of Atlanta United Garth Lagerway. TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE HERE.

4. More Beautiful World Cup Stories

i. Lovely profile of Tyler Adams, youngest captain in USMNT history, by Bryan Armen Graham.

ii. Shearer: England’s Only Problems are Good Ones. Rashford and Foden or Saka and Raz? 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

iii. German reaction to disaster of a second straight group stage exit: Instant shift from the hysterical to the strategic. In the TV studio, Bastian Schweinsteiger said that the German players didn’t seem to have the same “burning” desire for success as others, explicitly naming Costa Rica, but seeming to imply his own heroics at the Maracanã. The DFB, Germany’s football association, need to train and produce more Führungsspieler or “leadership players.” 🇩🇪

iv. Fantastic piece on the Japanese reaction to the Miracle of Doha. 🇯🇵

v. Was Spain’s shocking defeat a bug in the system or a true cause for panic? Was the 7-0 bumslapping they gave Costa Rica the worst thing that could happen to them, because since they have revealed they are actually “vulnerable and inexperienced, prone to complacency and error, and not all that used to dealing with pressure”?

vi. Miguel Delaney interviews a candid Jack Grealish which includes an apology to Almiron.

vii. What might be next for Female Match Officials after Stéphanie Frappart became the first woman to referee a Men’s World Cup game? When will we see this in the Premier League? 

MiB Merch help us help you to make more Content 💙💙💙

Looking for the perfect gift for that soccer curious co-worker, whom you like, but not enough to hold the elevator for on your way out of the office at the end of the day? We have the perfect gift. MiB MERCH. Our MiB holiday merch sale ends tonight. Enjoy 30% off store-wide until 11:59PM ET tonight. Use code CYBRMIB and grab your Sneaker Game Pullover, Fly Baby Eagles Fly T, and Talisman Courage Cap. And GFOPs can enjoy 30% off the Umbro Premier site and the Men in Blazers collection using code ENJOY30. Check out our '94-inspired Baby Eagles collaboration with Umbro USA, the original football brand. It is a genuine delight to partner with the Double Diamond for this magical limited edition collection that means so much to us. Shop Now. 

4. Much Less Beautiful but important 

Qatari television hosts mock human rights as Germany exit the tournament. Crap Bants. 

🚨 EPISODE 7 OF WORLD CORRUPT DROPS TODAY 🚨 I taped it with Tommy Vietor yesterday. We go deep on Qatar’s surreal approach to hosting duties, and the US-Iran geopolitical chaos. Catch up on the first six episodes here.

Hail GFOPs! This tournament has been proper Bonkers. If you are looking for more action, look no further as DraftKings has you covered. New customers who download the app now can win $150 in free bets if your team wins by betting just $5 on any pre-game moneyline! Use the following link for more: dkng.co/THERAVEN. More information on offer terms and problem gambling assistance can be found below. ** 

That is it for today. I am about to walk Martin Scorsese for the last time in a while. This tour is a bit bonkers. We are like a band on the road. But a band who decides they should write a new album every night of the tour.  To travel through each of these distinct footballing cultures across our land is the honor of a lifetime. Austin was an experience I will never forget. To commune with the delirious Austin FC fan culture and make memories after the US victory at the historic Austin City Limits was proper bonkers. I am totally shattered as I type this and head to the airport for Nashville and Atlanta. Let’s make memories together, and know that it is your footballing stories, your passion for the game, and for our crap, that fill us with joy and drive us on. Go! Go! USA!

Sleep is for January 😉 😴 💙🇺🇸

Big Love.

Courage.

ROG

**Gambling Problem? Call (877-8-HOPENY) or text HOPENY (467369).

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA). 21+ (18+ WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min $5 pregame moneyline bet. Bet must win. $150 issued as six (6) $25 free bets. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com/soccerterms. Ends 12/30/22 at 11:59 PM. Sponsored by DK.