Goalkeeper Sean Johnson says he and his partners are focusing on group science on the field as they plan for their most memorable World Cup match on Monday.
“We’re continuously pushing one another,” says Johnson, 33, who has played with his colleagues on the U.S. Men’s Public Group for “the better piece of three or four years.”
Johnson lets Individuals know that “being someone who my colleagues can depend on” means a lot to him, as is by and large intellectually ready to rely on himself. “Feeling better genuinely and intellectually is really significant.” In front of the competition’s opening shot on Sunday, Johnson says the group has zeroed in on steadiness on the field and truly associating as a unit.
“That is a piece of the consistency that you attempt to fabricate every day of the week and ensure that you’re on top of it so that when you step on the pitch, your partners have all the trust in you and you have certainty yourself.” As the goalkeeper, Johnson realizes his job can represent the deciding moment it for his group, which is the reason the help from his partners is so vital to the gathering’s prosperity. “Goalkeeping can be the distinction among dominating and losing a match,” he says.
Johnson lets Individuals know that he’s “a big devotee to the mentality of simply taking it each day in turn” with regards to the tensions of performing on the game’s biggest stage.
U.S. Soccer has confirmed that goalkeeper Zack Steffen has tested positive for COVID-19 and will not be available for the next two WCQ matches.
He has been replaced on the #USMNT roster by Sean Johnson, who will be available for selection tonight.
MORE: https://t.co/HmEHBuvlSs pic.twitter.com/4gEq8R0BYX
— U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team (@USMNT) September 5, 2021
In any case, the goalkeeper’s best stunt for mental lucidity is really another movement — going fishing, which he says is a ton like goalkeeping.
“It’s so quiet. There’s a sure component of persistence, and you were unable to find anything yet be distant from everyone else with your viewpoints.”
On the field, he applies that equivalent isolation and persistence to watching the game unfurl before his net. “Fishing is precisely that — you’re hanging tight for a remark and you’re responding as quick as possible to attempt to get your fish. Furthermore, as a goalkeeper however much it is responsive, you’re continuously attempting to be proactive to extinguish fires.”
Johnson and his partners will enter the 2022 World Cup with low assumptions from fans, who were disheartened in 2018 when the U.S. neglected to meet all requirements for the competition, however with title yearnings for themselves. “There could be no greater inclination than winning, lifting a prize,” he says.
“Winning is an inclination that you pursue endlessly time once more. You just contemplate being on the right half of that when you step across the lines.
I mean all the other things, truly, the point of view on the field; pretty much nothing else has any significance other than that hour and a half and how you need to win.”
The U.S. will take on Grains in the primary round of the gathering stage Monday at 2 p.m. EST.