The Moment That Inspired the U.S. World Cup Stars

In the promo videos, on the billboards, and in articles like this one, you’ll see one particular phrase repeated when trying to set the stakes of the upcoming FIFA World Cup: “The world is watching.” When you mix the planet’s most popular game and its most prestigious tournament, you get the brightest spotlight in sports.

…unless you play for America.

At least, that’s what former American striker Jozy Altidore told us on this week’s episode of In the Moment with David Greene. “When you’re playing for the U.S. Men's National Team,” Altidore explained to us, “it kind of feels like nobody’s watching.”

In another country, Altidore would be revered as a conquering hero. There would be murals painted in his honor. Songs written about him. And more than anything, the entire nation would remember the goal he scored against Spain in 2009 at the Confederations Cup. It was a goal that helped the U.S. win their biggest game in national team history—but when we booked Altidore for our podcast, I, for one, never even knew that it had happened.

Read this full article by Sarah McCrory here