Mike Ryan

bona fides against the world's elite.

And we're not going to get into that this episode.

I respect it.

Yeah.

So what is close to the truth?

Am I personalizing my view and how I'm down on the program and maybe everything that's going on in my life?

Or is there actual

real cause for concern here because I always think the U.S.

is at its best when it is a galvanized underdog team that turns to its athleticism and its passion for the country and its passion for each other in that locker room.

And with that attitude, they can accomplish some pretty terrific things even when they're mismatched.

Well, does this team have the ability to win over a nation through their style, through their tenacity?

Because we've seen some magical runs in World Cups by host nations, some improbable upsets.

Russia, granted, they were juiced to the gills.

They found a way to pull off improbable upsets.

Germany, when no one expected them to make the deep run that they did because they were just starting a whole new generation, made it just short of a World Cup final.

So can this team come together, use what is a pretty massive advantage in these World Cup competitions, being a host nation?

Can that emotion be enough to carry a team that –

has a talent disparity from some of the global elites, no doubt.

But when Pulisic is in form, he is a dog.

He can be great.