How the USMNT Chose 'Take Me Home, Country Roads' As a World Cup Anthem
The US men's national team celebrated their 2-0 win over Australia on Friday in Seattle with a rousing rendition of "Country Roads," joined by the 66,925 fans in attendance. Midfielder Sebastian Berhalter described singing the song as a highlight of the tournament, saying it "felt so American" with his teammates joining in.
The 1971 John Denver classic has become an American music staple, with crowds often singing along to the chorus. Defender Auston Trusty noted that the song is a source of national pride, saying "it's just being proud of your country" and that hearing it in the stadium was a dream come true.
The song's popularity stems from its use as a sports anthem at West Virginia University, despite referencing a road in Maryland. Its adoption by the USMNT is part of a larger trend of Americanization in international soccer tournaments, with each team now having a designated win song. The US team chose "Country Roads" from a selection of US artists, opting for a song that could spark a singalong.
The team hopes to continue the tradition in their final Group D game against Tükiye on Thursday, ahead of the knockout stages. The singalong has already been a hit in Los Angeles and Seattle, and the team is eager to keep the momentum going.
The 1971 John Denver classic has become an American music staple, with crowds often singing along to the chorus. Defender Auston Trusty noted that the song is a source of national pride, saying "it's just being proud of your country" and that hearing it in the stadium was a dream come true.
The song's popularity stems from its use as a sports anthem at West Virginia University, despite referencing a road in Maryland. Its adoption by the USMNT is part of a larger trend of Americanization in international soccer tournaments, with each team now having a designated win song. The US team chose "Country Roads" from a selection of US artists, opting for a song that could spark a singalong.
The team hopes to continue the tradition in their final Group D game against Tükiye on Thursday, ahead of the knockout stages. The singalong has already been a hit in Los Angeles and Seattle, and the team is eager to keep the momentum going.
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