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‘It’s Bible time’: How religion became part of the USMNT’s World Cup identity
From Christian Pulisic to Weston McKennie, many of the team’s biggest stars have been open about their faith, creating a new dynamic for a home World Cup
TL;DR
- USMNT players like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Chris Richards are increasingly vocal about their religious faith.
- This public display of religious beliefs is a significant departure from previous USMNT teams, where players rarely discussed their personal faith.
- Examples of players openly sharing their faith include Pulisic's 'Bible time', McKennie's 'All glory to God' bio, and Richards' pre-game prayer sessions.
- Even the head coach, Mauricio Pochettino, is openly Catholic and has demonstrated his faith through actions like praying at a religious shrine.
- The current team's openness contrasts with past players like Clint Dempsey, Tim Howard, and Jozy Altidore, who were more reserved about their religious convictions.
- The trend of athletes expressing personal beliefs is growing, with the USMNT reflecting a broader cultural shift towards greater openness.
- While personal, this openness on a national team stage can raise questions about maintaining national sporting neutrality.