Can’t Miss Moments, Episode 2: ‘U.S. Against The World’
The second episode depicts Weston McKennie’s life abroad and the U.S. Men’s National Team’s run in 2024 Copa América
2023 Concacaf Nations League Champions. 2024 Concacaf Nations League Champions. A 1-1 draw with global powerhouse Brazil in an international friendly.
While the U.S. Men’s National Team produced some inconsistent results, it also showed some promising moments coming out of its performance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. With a World Cup on home soil in the near future, expectations were growing for this young generation to mature, tally some major results and build the country’s belief.
The USMNT had the opportunity to do just that under head coach Gregg Berhalter at 2024 Copa América.
Instead, the tournament led one of the most pivotal shifts in program history.
“U.S. Against the World: Four Years with the Men’s National Soccer Team,” is an HBO Original documentary produced by Park Stories, in association with U.S. Soccer and the U.S. National Soccer Team Players Association.
The second episode entitled “Not So Golden” tracks the team’s devastating result in Copa América on home soil that resulted in a dramatic change in leadership just two years ahead of the World Cup on home soil. The episode shows a raw portrait of what was going on behind-the-scenes of the U.S. Men’s National Team during a time of self-reflection and building expectation.
Weston McKennie was raised in Little Elm, Texas and progressed through the pathway as a youth prospect at FC Dallas. He quickly established himself as a talented player and made a new home for himself in Italy where he played world-class soccer in Serie A with Juventus.
“Back in the day, it was only one or two guys that were playing abroad that were having success whereas now you turn on the TV on any given day and there will probably be an American on the field on some team,” USMNT midfielder Tyler Adams said. “Whether it’s Germany, England, Italy – we’re trying to take over everywhere.”
This episode takes fans behind-the-scenes of McKennie’s life in Italy. See one of his games through the eyes of his mother, Tina.
“If you would’ve told 11-year-old or 12-year-old me playing FIFA at home that you’re going to be playing for that team in that stadium, I would’ve thought you were crazy,” McKennie said.
Folarin Balogun was born in New York but was raised in London, England. His dual nationality gave him the option to play for the U.S. or England. With his goal scoring prowess, American soccer fans desperately tried to recruit Balogun to wear the Stars and Stripes.
“My journey to the team is a little bit unique,” Balogun said. “The way I was eligible to represent America, I thought I’m not going to be the person to stand in the way of this story. I spoke to my agent and I said, ‘This is the jersey I want to be scoring goals in.’ I’m going to be competing on the biggest stage in the world for my country, and I couldn’t be prouder.
“I want to make history.”
CONMEBOL Copa América is considered the most important trophies in South America.
For the 2024 edition, the U.S. hosted the tournament for just the second time in tournament history.
The USMNT entered the tournament as the second favorites in its group. The team got off to a strong start with a 2-0 win over Bolivia at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
So what went wrong that prevented the USMNT from getting out of the group?
See what happened in the team’s next two group stage matches against Panama and Uruguay.
Up Next: Episode 3: “You Have To Fight” airs Tuesday, May 26
Take a deeper look behind the makings of the HBO Documentary with Director Rand Getlin and Executive Producer Janina Pelayo on this week’s episode of the U.S. Soccer Podcast: