Eric Wynalda opens up on USMNT disrespect, John Harkes affair & more! | CBS Sports Kickin' It
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- Опубліковано 26 лип 2024
- The trailblazing and outspoken Eric Wynalda joins Kate Abdo, Clint Dempsey, Mo Edu and Charlie Davies to look back on a storied career that saw him play in three World Cups and become the first American-born player in Bundesliga history. And staying true to form, Eric lets his feelings on the current United States men’s national team known.
00:00 - Eric Wynalda joins Kickin' It
03:30 - Unwanted: Being made to feel expendable by the Federation, run-ins with coach Bora Milutinović, being sent home from USMNT camp, getting a second chance in Germany.
12:15 - Pioneer: Fighting for respect at Saarbrücken, flying the flag for American players, using 1990 World Cup as a springboard, accepting teammates but not expecting friendships.
24:45 - Coaching: Thoughts on the Reyna-Berhalter fallout, what the role of the coach should be, the USMNT’s current brand of playing style.
38:57 - Betrayal: Forgiving John Harkes, how the affair derailed the USMNT’s 1998 World Cup campaign.
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This is the best interview you have had! Wynalda never pulls punches and that is why is he basically black listed, but I love his frankness, truthfulness and Passion! This is Exactly what is missing on the current USMNT...Dempsey Wynalda et company is the American Spirit..plain and simple
Agreed, might not agree always but is more genuine then the “good ol boys” at US Soccer and Fox
I absolutely could not agree more. This series has been fantastic since I grew up with that '94 team being my idols. I've always loved Wynalda, and i've always compared his attitude with Dempsey's. While a lot of the other players could look overwhelmed in the moment Wynalda and Demspey thrived in it. They talk and play with nothing held back at all.
I don’t pay attention to the USMNT even though I’m American and have watched football since 2005 when I was 14 so I don’t know who this guy is but I’m wondering what you mean by he is black listed? Is he black listed from football in general? Doesn’t he commentate for Fox? Or do you mean he is black listed from the U.S. federation? Just curious
@@corvus2512 dude has always spoke his mind even if it was an unpopular take. Willing to take shots at what is wrong with the system. Right, wrong or indifferent, the dude shoots his shot.
@@corvus2512 We don't pay attention to you either
Eric Wynalda is so direct, just like he was on the field. He might not always be right, but he’s brutally honest and owns it.
he is garbage
As an Englishman I find this so applicable to the current state of the England national team, and honestly the entire Southgate era. Such great insight and stories from a leader of US football.
First time I ever heard that story he traded jersey with Escobar and later gave it back to his family. Say what want about Wynalda but that's class right there, it's more than just a sport to these guys
What else was he going to do with it? If you think about it, that's really the ONLY move to make in that situation. Yes, he did the right thing, but that should be the minimum expectation.
This is monumental...there is no minimal in this act at all... he could have done a million things with it...but he gave it back to his family. Remember watching the game and to know now he did that has humbled me today.
@RodBotero my family and I were at that game...and then went up to palo alto to see Colombia's final game. We saw the players leave after the game and Escobar waved at us as the team got on their bus. Wasn't until I got much older and saw the espn 30 for 30 about that Colombian team that I fully knew the back story of everything that happened. Very sad
@@moormanpa Coulda sold it for more than he earned as a National Team Player. Took the high road and he didn't have to.
Charlie poured out his heart when talking about the ball Eric signed. That was touching.
and then eric ignored him...and started to talk about himself again...
@@CMDavis11 I know. How tone deaf. That had to hurt.
@@CMDavis11 yep, Eric constantly talked over people.
It's such a different take on "brother hood" and "bros" vs. playing on a team. I think it's a great take on it.
LD will always be my favorite player of all time but much respect to Eric for keeping it real & saying exactly how he feels. Love the honesty
What an interview and Wynalda with the smoke at the end.
Wynalda will always be a pioneer and USMNT legend
that word association at the end was WILD! LOL loved it
It's so fascinating. These guys were such enigmas to me growing up in the 90s as a young player in the USA. They sacrificed so much, and i would have never really known because of how information was passed and no one cared about american footballers anyway except kids like me. So glad to hear these guys talk about it. Im sure they feel vindicated now.
Glad you appreciate what they accomplished for the country. I'm now 52yrs old but was 18yrs old during the 1990 world cup finishing up high school but also playing in the US national system U18 and got the chance to play against some of them in scrimmages leading into the 90 world cup. The funnier thing is that Fall, I started college at St. Johns in NYC and I played against Lalas at Rutgers. Imagine playing in the world cup then going back to your college team? LOL. But that's all that these guys had in some cases. MLS was not even a thought at that time. If you made it to college, great, or if you could play on the National team even better...but earning a living in soccer was almost impossible. They were pioneers.
@magamaga1827 Wow, that's awesome. Yeah, it's amazing how much the culture of the sport has changed in the US. There was that bizarre time before MLS, and after the dissolution of the NASL, where outside of college soccer, the only other high level soccer happening was indoor soccer. My dad would take us to Dallas Sidekicks games, and I idolized those guys thinking they were massive celebrities, but they were probably making 10k a year.
@@yummyjackalmeat Exactly. I played on a select team for Long Island, NY in the 80s for my age group and we were coached sometimes by Shep Messing and Doc Lawson who were playing indoor at that time. We'd get to play in between breaks at the games. But looking back, those guys were prob almost broke. Bruce Arena also coached our team for a bit but I guess got offered the job at Virgina University and took it. Only way to make money then as a coach, really. I also grew up playing with Chris Armas, the current coach of Colorado Rapids, and I know for sure he wasn't making much money even in his playing days with the Fire. He's prob doing ok now.
@@magamaga1827 But Lalas didnt play in the 90 WorldCup
Best interview. I wish he was in charge of the federation
Better yet coaching the USMNT.
He’d be great for that role.
As a Nigerian, i believe everything he said about Milutinovic.
Wynalda does not get enough credit for what he did for USA ⚽️ Massive!
100%
Oh absolutely. Without him soccer is not where it is today in the usa. Just huge goals at a time we weren't near as good as we are today.
He’s the biggest reason why I chose to be a USMNT supporter. We’re the same age and I saw how he played and how those ‘94 guys played.
Absolutely 💯 He WAS better in Germany and sacrificed A LOT when he joined MLS--he did it for The USSF which tells you a lot about him as a person.
@@unclebuck567 Very much agree. The guy had ( still has) heart.
As someone who has 0 interest in usmnt these interviews are legitimately great!!! Way beyond what I would expect from cbs well done. Best format across all cbs sport shows.
My god. I’ve heard of Eric Wynalda. Mostly that he was a baller. But never personally. But man this man is a great human being. Prime example of keep pushing through and never give up. Agree with everything that he said. You can’t control people you gotta let them do what they do best and tweak to get the mechanism right.
He’s so right. The USSF is falling into the trap of being too comfortable. We need to get after the teams above us now. Really tired of the “let’s see how we’ll do” mentality. The “project” is over, the goal now is to win.
They can't
@@davinalopez-oz1ez we will win it before Mexico
@@lipslidemyrail no team from concacaf will win it
Love these because seeing guys like Wynalda, Meola were guys who really made me proud to be an American who loved playing soccer. Awesome to hear all their stories
Wynalda & Dempsey would always give my Mexico 🇲🇽⚽ a hard time on the pitch. Respect to all the USA players🤝✌️
I do miss seeing the likes of Blanco, Jorge Campos, Rafael Marquez(who seemed to have a career that spanned the majority of my life), Luis Hernandez, etc.. Legends, the lot of them.
I miss that era and rivalry too.
Flyin Brian McBride was the player that Mexico totally feared. He was the one player who could constantly win headers.
These interviews are great! They need to get Claudio on here!
That would be epic!
Maybe would have happened pre-Qatar! 🤣🤣🤣
May as well just do the double and have Claudio and Berhalter sit down with the squad and clear some air. Now THAT would be compelling.
Wynalda was a player I looked up to. I got to meet him and asked for an autograph, had the poster of him wearing the Reebok sidewinders, after his training session in San Bernardino, CA. He must have been pissed off because when I asked him for his autograph, he said no sorry!! Walked back into the RV never came back out. I was so upset I tossed the poster away! Cobi Jones made up for him along with Alexis Lalas. They sat there an we had a great conversation. I must have been 11-12 years old
Just started and I know this will be the best one yet! * grabs popcorn *
Eric Wynalda was my favorite player growing up! I grew up in the bay area and watching him play for the San Jose Clash was such a memorable time for me!
I love that they interview players that many of us grew up watching when we were kids! So dope that they haven't forgotten about the history these men created!
My club team traveled to Essen, Germany when I was 14, played some games and went to a few pro games. Wynalda made time to come out and greet us. None of us became successful in the sport but look how the Bundesliga opened the door for the next generation.
Great interview HOWEVER let the man speak!!!! You keep cutting him off to ask questions in the middle of his explanations!!!! Then we pivot slightly on another answer. Just let him speak!!!
Great interview loving these i hope clint saying its the last time theyre together was jus a joke we need this show
Dang! These interviews and personalities are getting better and better. Wynalda is a Legend. Say what you want about him cause he doesn't give a sh!t about your opinion of him. His insight and honesty is unparalleled and we need more of him and more like him in modern US Soccer.
Love this show . I wish Dempsey and wynalda were players today . No disrespect I love todays team but these two have character
Eric Wynalda for those that don't know was HIM as a striker. This man and Brian McBride were my favorite USMNT #9s. Also he's right, Clint was special special. My USA GOAT
the Kyle Martino 'spineless" moment was crazy. lol
What's the history there?
This needs a part 2 specifically about the rapid fire questions
Really enjoyed this one, he brings up some good points about growing complacent after having a coach for an extended time.
I have a great Eric Wynalda story to share from a fan perspective. Sept. 1991 and our APSL team Albany Capital, which included Paul Mariner, was playing SF Blackhawks for the league championship in a home/away. We had a pretty good crowd of about 4000 fans making some good noise. Albany won the game 3-1 in a hard fought, exciting game. As we sang in rejoice as the Blackhawks left the field, one player peeled off, came around the fence and stood 20 feet on front of us and all alone shouted back, "It's not over yet!" Meet Eric Wynalda. I remembered him from the '90WC and was impressed by the sheer balls of that move. The following week in S.F. they win the regulation 2-0 and the resulting penalties. The Blackhawks had a great team including several USMNT National Team players. The Capital unfortunately folded the following year and they took Paul Mariner and Mike Masters.
Such a great story! Thank you so much for sharing.
I should have mentioned that after Eric had turned to walk off after he yelled back at us, the crowd went silent. He was a tough hard-nosed competitor.
Nice one. I went to the Albany Capitals soccer camp as a kid
Eric right about US soccer and Beerholder
Eric is a legend. Loved watcing him play. Dont always agree with his views or takes but hes right about Berhalter not being a good coach and getting the best out of these players.
The guys need to do an episode with Kate on the hotseat
My face is hot.
@@therealking6202you my friend, is outta pocket. 😂😂😂😂
YES! They need this
@@therealking6202 lol
Best interview. This show is awesome. That rapid fire was brutally honest. I agree with Wynalda on a lot of things except forgiving Harkes, but wow.
Fantastic interview. I hope Berhalter listened.
Too busy smelling his own farts
I've said this many times Eric Wynalda should be the USMNT coach.
agree
+1
I agree. Too bad that’s never gonna happen though as he along with Tab Ramos, Hugo Perez, and Jurgen Klinsmann are blacklisted from coaching the national team (Tab could only go as far as the U-20s and Klinsmann got blacklisted after his tenure with the U.S.) for criticizing the federation on their mishandling of the team and their lack of ambition to grow the sport so they can be competitive and successful.
And for not allowing to change the national team setup/change how the federation operates in order to better the program and it’s infrastructure.
I’d happen to be at the Rose Bowl for that game against Colombia on 1994. Felt great to had seen history with my own eyes. I admire Eric even more for his assertiveness.
Loved the interview! Raw and Uncut. 👍
Wynalda for Coach!!!
Wynalda always he say it like it is. I love listening to him and know the big broadcast studios don’t like him because he is true in his thoughts and beliefs Great answer : I’m a dad ,,,
I watched US 94 World Cup when I was in the Mediterranean. US surprised us positively in 94 & if it weren't Brazil in its Path, that sympathetic US Team could have gone farther. Always a pleasure to see the Historic Eric Wynalda. In 94 everybody overseas was talking about the goatie beard of Alexi Lalas
Eric had a ton of big goals for club and country but his free kick vs Switzerland in '94 sent me out to the back yard to work on my set pieces and add that to my game. I LOVED this interview and really appreciate how open everyone was with the topics.
God damn I would have really liked to hear Waldo explain more on his 'Tormented' word choice for CP10
I'll say CP is the poster boy for this current squad & has been since he was given the chance at 17 years old!
Pretty much the entire weight of pressure falls on him... to lead the team to the next level we all want to see.
@@kingteros Yep agreed, I think CP loves being the guy of the USMNT but doesnt want to be the face. I dont think both of those things are exclusive.
My dad was a Princeton man. Basically what you need to know about USMNT players.
Best interview ever. One of the all time greats.
His Stevie Nicol impression is on point
I have so much respect for this man. He’s so honest, about himself, his team, the time they played in. When he says flatly that the US Team wasn’t good enough in 1990, he says it without bitterness.
He’s just being honest.
Love this guy.
I looked up to guys like Wynalda as an 80s kid trying to play this sport in the wilderness years in the US. I was so proud to see them on the big stage in WC 90 and 94.
I think he put what I think about brotherhood and the team in words and that’s an issue with our team
Great interview!!
AMAZING interview!
Loved this interview!
Loved watching Wynalda always played with a chip on his shoulder.
Gotta love the man for speaking his mind. Like what he has to say or not he’s not lying. Respect
Love Wynalda! Definitely an Icon for USA! Great interview
This is the best show for soccer in america. Amazing.
She says Clint's cries more than anyone, I've never seen him with such a death stare 😂
Brilliant segment.
Growing up in the 90s, I loved the USMNT and Eric. Interesting to hear stories from the inside.
Wow! Amazing interview! Fascinating to learn what happens behind the scenes of the US National team. Would love to hear more like this.
I don't know who this guy is (not a soccer fan) but he was savage at the end there!! Great interview!!
Wynalda scored the first goal in MLS history for the San Jose Clash. Great national team player.
That coach Eric talks about is Bora Milutinovic (Serbia) who led the lowly, ragtag, college kids in the ‘94 World Cup USMNT, unexpectedly, out of the group stages and only to be matched with 5-time World Cup winners Brazil in the round of 16’s. Eric was the Star forward for the San Jose Clash in the inaugural season of MLS, he scored that first goal against DC United. I was there in the stands.
I agree with Eric 100%. The objective is to win. I’m tired of hearing about how the vibes are good and the energy is positive. BS. If you consistently underperform the way this coach and these players have, the vibes shouldn’t be good and the energy shouldn’t be positive. They should all be angry, hungry, embarrassed, and afraid of losing their jobs. You know what really makes for good vibes and positive energy? Living up to your potential. And even better, winning. This group has yet to come anywhere close to that. If the vibes are good then they need to stop deluding themselves. The problem is that soccer has become a pay to play sport in America, mostly limited to the privileged classes. These kids are so spoiled and used to getting their way. They need someone like Eric as a coach to burst their little snowflake bubbles.
exactly !
Great interview.
This interview and Henry’s are top 1/2.
Mark Chung story at 7:00 brought back memories! Glad Eric brought out story's of Mark Chung and Marcello Balboa who are US Soccer Legends as well! Mark Chung is so underrated that guys like Eric would bully him on the field because he was this crazy talented asian american soccer player who was one of the most incredibly humble and under rated players. Interesting interview with these old G's, because back in the day, these guys lived and breathed soccer, not for the 18k salary, it was because they loved the game and were more talented and patriotic to US soccer than most people would understand. These O' G's inspired a generation of youth soccer players that I want to express my gratitude for their sacrifice.
As a México supporter I hated Waldo as a player. But once he got into broadcasting I got to see him.as a thoughtful interesting guy. Thanks for this.
This is incredible.
I wonder what he doesn’t like about Kyle Martino; guessing it’s something about him from trying to run for USSF President?
Spineless. Now I’m curios about too
Yes, imagine Kyle Martino is Elizabeth Warren, and Wynalda is Bernie.
Martino stays in with no chance at all and splits the vote with Wynalda, giving the election to Cordeiro. Plus he just said a bunch of nonsense (Martino) while running. Just saying "PAY 2 PLAY BAD" but nothing else. Eric had ideas, whether or not you liked them.
Fascinating Wynalda session. In 1997 i studied him in detail as a Jamaica coach. Had to stop him 1997 rfk 1-1 game especially. Very enlightening about Bora. Bora was not a straight shooter.
Great interview. I appreciate the honesty as well as the interviewers making the situation comfortable for that honesty. Donovan is our GOAT. The best off the ball player we've produced. Clint second and the toughest. Puli third for his relentless work.
The goal should always be TO WIN. They are professionals, not children. The thinking should always be we are going to win. Winning is our job. There is nothing else to go for. Period.
Wynalda is a stud
Great interview! I still remember seeing that first article regarding his ex-wife’s affair with John Harkes. What a crazy story
I think Wynalda would be a great usmnt coach. We need someone like him.
Amazing
Really interesting interview. Smart guy
My 1st time watching really good show
Honest talk love it
This is incredible
I played against the USA for Canada in 1978 for Youth Would Cup qualifying and back then we were both had the same level of play. Now they are 11th in the world while Canada still lags behind at 48th in the World. Once the States decide to do something they do it. I’ve always admired them for that.
Best interview yet. Hope the full cast comes back next year.... Maybe ya'll can get Nagbe on?
lol why would they bring in a nobody like that?
Agree with his take on Landon Donovan
Great guest, ❤❤❤Eric
wow! great story Eric.
Fuckin A we need a coach with Eric's way of thinking . We don't need a coach who is friends with the players ,but to put the best players in correct positions to win , winning should be the goal every time !
I thought I was watching Club Shay Shay at the end there. Wayto pivot from the drama. Well done, guys
Eric called the contempt and friendship thing amongst the coach.
That room is a wonderful space.
I love Eric but Landon Donovan is not "overrated" (he did it on the pitch every time we needed him), and Christian Pulisic is clearly our best player. Gio Reyna hasn't shown the heart or genius that we routinely saw in Claudio... Gio had zero assists and zero goals in three Copa games. He had zero assists and zero goals in two World Cup games. I'd rather see Brendan Aaronson o the field working his butt of as always.
Absolutely disagree with some of his takes but I can respect his strong opinions and willingness to say them with conviction.
I like this cat here. Backed himself and won, well played, and you should have won the US soccer presidential election.
Wiw this is unbelievable good interview waldo one of the best
Donovan answer was what I would have said. 2 best US players were in that room.
I don’t know how much Eric and I would agree on, but he is 100% right about the 94 national team and the state of the coaches etc since then. The creation of the MLS after that WC and the growth of the sport was the main focus and it has failed terribly. 30 years later we are in a worse situation with worse results
Does the beginning part of the interview just sounds similar to what Greg berlhalter did to Gio Reyna
Without the pedigree
Wynaldum clearly upset with Bora Milutinovic, but that man took Mexico, Costa Rica, the US, and then Nigeria all through the group stages of the World Cup. That's a ridiculously huge accomplishment. Obviously the man is not a buffoon. Wynaldum should try to understand that success in a different context.
Bora was one of the coaches I remember from back in the days!