How Team USA Inspires the Nation with Their Faith
Former professional soccer player and Seattle Sounders chaplain Jesse Bradley discusses the United States men’s national team’s historic debut at the 2026 World Cup, winning its first two group stage matches since 1930. Bradley emphasizes the team’s inspiring public faith, which leads to Bible studies and prayer after games, and how it unites Americans through soccer, a sport now growing in popularity.
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As the United States men’s national soccer team heard the final whistle at Lumen Field last 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 World Cup round of 16.
But there was one specific song raining down from the stands and onto the field: “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” sung by John Denver.
There is a story behind why this song was specifically chosen for the moment when Team USA wins a World Cup match. FIFA actually asked teams to submit potential playlists for warm-ups, goals and wins.
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U.S. fans cheer before the international friendly match against Germany at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, June 6, 2026. (Daniel Bartel/USSF/Getty Images)
Well, US Soccer said it consulted with players, as well as members of the organization, on what songs should blare through the speakers during matches. The curated list looked for songs that were both representative of American artists and would be good tunes for fans to sing along to 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”, however, 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 Amy Hopfinger, a former U.S. soccer employee and now FIFA executive, called for “Take Me Home, Country Roads” to be used specifically.
As he played over the speakers, the crowd drowned out Denver with their collective screams at the players. They applauded and praised the rendition of the classic folk tune in Seattle as well as in Los Angeles, where the USMNT won its first World Cup match – a dominant 4-1 victory over Paraguay.
A young American football fan applauds 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 hopes to hear the song again on Thursday in its final group stage match against Turkey, although the match will have no significance for either team. For Team USA, their victory against Australia cemented their place in the knockout stage and gave them victory in Group D for the group stages.
As a result, the USMNT will travel to the Bay Area in one way or another after its next match, preparing for a round of 16 matchup against a third-place team from Groups B, E, F, I or J.
U.S. fans cheer during the international friendly match against Germany at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, June 6, 2026. (Omar Vega/USSF/Getty Images)
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Tremendous momentum has been built for the USMNT, and heading into a final group stage match without fear of being kicked out of the tournament certainly isn’t a greater feeling for a team using their home country advantage.
They hope to hear more fans singing their now-viral team song as they continue to progress through the tournament.
