US stars sit and pray on the field long after the devastating World Cup elimination in Holland. DeAndre Yedlin explains that the “grounding session” helps “put defeat in perspective.”
After USA’s elimination from the World Cup by Holland on Saturday, some players stayed out on the field to “think about the trip”.
Gregg Berhalter’s side were defeated 3-1 by Holland in the round of 16 after Memphis Depay, Daley Blind and Denzel Dumfries all scored for the Dutch and Haji Wright’s goal was only a consolation.
While the defeat knocked the USA out – a blow to their hopes of promotion – it showed the prospect of improvement in a squad that went into the 2022 World Cup, second youngest at an average age of 25.2.
After the loss, five players took to the pitch, talked to each other, sat in a circle on the pitch and prayed together to enjoy the Qatar nights for the last time.
(L to R) DeAndre Yedlin, Tim Weah, Tyler Adams and Aaron Long walk the field after the loss
The USMNT fell 3–1 to Holland in the round of 16, which featured multiple defensive errors
Winger Timothy Weah, right-back DeAndre Yedlin, centre-back Aaron Long and midfielder and captain Tyler Adams were seen walking onto the pitch together after the end of the game and chatting to each other.
They were later joined by reserve goaltender Sean Johnson and sat in the circle with them.
Cameras then caught Johnson, Long, Weah and Yedlin standing and praying together.
Speaking to FOX Sports after their ritual, Yedlin explained that the “grounding sessions” put the loss into perspective.
“We just put things into perspective and thought about the trip and just thanked the earth,” said Yedlin, who played sparingly despite being the only player in the squad with World Cup experience.
Yedlin (L) & Weah (R) were later joined by Sean Johnson (25) who sat on the pitch after the game
The United States struggled to score throughout the tournament – and Saturday was no different
“It just helps give perspective to life, good or bad. It’s something I have [been doing for awhile]. We kind of introduced it to the team and the guys liked it.
“So we’re just trying to keep it going. Especially at a time like this when it can be difficult to put life in perspective and realize that it’s not the be-all and end-all.
“I’ve learned to see things better than I did when I was young. It hurts, and it hurts a lot of guys, but I think it’s important that we realize we still have our families.
“The boys who have children, we still have our children. We’re still sons, brothers, uncles, whatever it is. And that is the most important thing in life.”
Players will have more time to think about flying back after their elimination from the World Cup
After becoming the only team not to concede a goal from open play in the knockout stages, the United States allowed the Netherlands to put three goals over their net, with the main culprits being players who missed open Dutch players .
Although the end of the flagpole is coming sooner than the USMNT expected, it could be a sign that this group could do better in 2026.
“I think it’s a step forward,” Yedlin said. “I think things happen for a reason. Look at 2018, this group was brought together [after missing the tournament]. Then this happens and people ask why it happened that way or what will happen in the future. I’m sure it will all make sense at some point.”