Americans who aren’t usually interested in soccer watched the 2022 World Cup more than ever, and the USMNT’s first qualification to the round of 16 since 2014 had the country hyped.
The Pat McAfee Show wasn't excluded.
Pat McAfee Show reaction to Pulisic goal
The USMNT game and victory against Iran had all of us on the edge of our seat, including those on the set of Pat McAfee.
The Pat McAfee Show is hosted by former NFL punter Pat McAfee in which he, along with other pundits, analyze and cover the latest in American sports news.
Yet, although the YouTube live-streamed show is primarily centered around the NFL, the cast took a break from the day’s agenda to celebrate Christian Pulisic’s goal against Iran in the 2022 World Cup.
"I believe that we will win!"
@patmcafeeshowofficial AMERICA IS 1 STEP CLOSER TO WINNING THE SOCCER LOMBARDI #patmcafee #patmcafeeshow #nfl #football #sports #fyp #foryoupage #college #collegegameday #soccer #futbol #worldcup #america #usa #teamusa #christianpulisic ♬ original sound - Pat McAfee Show Clips
Funny enough, McAfee did, in fact, believe that they would win with a Pulisic goal.
I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL WIN pic.twitter.com/adq7mXhms9
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 29, 2022
Pat McAfee is Pulisic fan #1
McAfee has covered Pulisic news in the past, highlighting his occasional shine with Chelsea and his impact with the Blues without much minutes.
“We got a guy!”
Un delirante Pat McAfee è convinto che Pulisic sia il miglior calciatore del mondo. pic.twitter.com/4EvxAuoP1c
— Daniele Minuti (@D_Minuti) November 30, 2022
Now, considering most of the pundits are quite unfamiliar with anything soccer (aside from Pulisic), it’s definitely heartwarming to see Americans cheer for their country in a sport that’s been essentially ‘neglected’ for the past decades.
@PatMcAfeeShow perfect picture of how all of us felt when @cpulisic_10 scored!! pic.twitter.com/b54hrjJQgg
— RiskyBiscuitt (@MichaelYoungRB9) November 30, 2022
Let’s hope the recent success of the USMNT, along with the hosting of the 2026 World Cup, turns soccer in the U.S. to what it already is everywhere else in the world.