‘Country Roads’ becomes US World Cup team’s unofficial anthem
7 reported
John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads" has become the unofficial anthem of the U.S. men's national soccer team at the World Cup, with players and fans singing it together after victories. The song was added to FIFA's postgame playlist options at the request of FIFA officials, according to The Athletic, in hopes of creating a shared moment between the U.S. team and its supporters. It debuted after the U.S.'s second match, a 2-0 win over Australia in Seattle, and was an immediate hit inside the stadium and on social media. The song also played after a U.S. loss to Turkey on June 25 at Los Angeles Stadium, where it received a less enthusiastic reception. It returned in force Wednesday in Santa Clara, California, after the U.S. defeated Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0 to advance to the round of 16. Cowriter Bill Danoff told the Associated Press he is honored the team has embraced the song and that Denver, who died in 1997, would have relished watching the match. The John Denver estate told the AP it is "thrilled" by the song's revival at the World Cup, saying its message transcends geography.
What’s reported
John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads" has become the unofficial anthem of the U.S. men's national soccer team at the World Cup.
FIFA officials added the song to its postgame playlist options, according to The Athletic.
The song debuted after the U.S.'s 2-0 win over Australia in Seattle.
It was played after a U.S. loss to Turkey on June 25 at Los Angeles Stadium.
It was played again Wednesday in Santa Clara, California, after the U.S. defeated Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0.
Cowriter Bill Danoff told the AP he is honored and that Denver would have enjoyed the match.
The John Denver estate told the AP it is "thrilled" by the song's revival.
Key figures
John Denver (deceased singer)
Bill Danoff (cowriter of "Country Roads")
Taffy Nivert (cowriter of "Country Roads")
Mauricio Pochettino (U.S. coach)
Weston McKennie (U.S. midfielder)
Sebastian Berhalter (U.S. midfielder)
Harry Kane (England captain)
Sources: abcnews.com
