The 1994 FIFA World Cup built the base for a soccer revolution in the US. 32 years later, with the USA co-hosting the tournament during its 250th birthday and the USMNT reaching the knockouts in impeccable shape, the sport might just explode in the country. As a famous media personality believes, the national team is set to play five finals in a row if they are to create history.

The USMNT is set to face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, July 1, at Santa Clara. With just two days to go for the historic 250th birthday, the entire nation is engulfed in soccer fever, with millions backing the soccer team. Former college footballer and Barstool Sports’ T-Bob Hebert failed to hold his excitement ahead of the most important knockout stretch.

“I love what Mauricio Pochettino is saying about this game. He’s saying this is our World Cup final. Every game from this moment on is our World Cup final,” Hebert praised Pochettino’s attitude of treating every knockout game like a final.

“What I wanna talk about is stakes. Because you’ve seen it in these early knockout rounds. Look at the scenes come out of Azteca last night, look at Canada on Sunday afternoon. Canadian heroes born to a new generation. These tournaments only come around so often, and the stakes could not be any higher,” he explained further.

Two of the three co-hosts of the World Cup punched their tickets to the round of 16 as Canada triumphed 1-0 against South Africa, leaving their head coach Jesse Marsch to coin the squad as Canadian heroes for their unprecedented achievements. Mexico won a knockout match at the World Cup for the first time in 40 years at the iconic Azteca Stadium after beating Ecuador 2-0. These results, followed by epic celebrations, now raise pressure on the USMNT, according to Hebert, as he challenged them to raise their level.

“If you’re one of these guys on the USMNT, this is what you’ve worked your entire life for. It’s not just the four years of the dream tournament. It’s a lifetime’s work,” he made an emotional appeal. “It’s a foundation established by the 1994 World Cup, and it all reaches this culmination point tonight. And if you’re an athlete, these are the stages that you dream of being on,” Hebert recollected how the 1994 World Cup paved the way for the sport in the country.

“Don’t be scared, don’t go half-stepping, it’s time to kick some a** tonight for the 250th bday of America and put it on for the stars and stripes. Don’t stop me production,” a visibly emotional Hebert went on a passionate appeal to the USMNT to achieve something special.

The USMNT won its group for the first time at the World Cup. Statement performances against Paraguay and Australia saw them punch a knockout ticket with a game to spare. Although they lost their final group stage game against Turkiye, it had no bearing on the table.

Led by Christian Pulisic, the young squad with the likes of Folarin Balogun, Tyler Adams, and Sebastien Berhalter is playing high-tempo soccer in the image of Pochettino.

They will take on Bosnia and Herzegovina, which advanced as one of the best third-placed teams after a 3-1 victory against Qatar.

Although the USMNT has a recent poor record against European teams, they will back themselves to triumph on home soil and deliver a memorable gift ahead of the 250th birthday and book a round of 16 spot date with the winner of the Belgium-Senegal game.