Tyler Adams on USMNT's World Cup responsibility: 'We have to qualify...there's just no other option'

The U.S. Men's National Team midfielder spoke about the squad's mindset entering its final three qualifying matches for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, starting with a visit to Mexico on Thursday.

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[CROWD CHEERING]

TYLER ADAMS: I mean, I think every time you go into important games that have such value, you always feel the nerves. But when the whistle blows, you know, everything becomes normal again. It's another football match at the end of the day. You have to go and you have to rely and trust your instincts and trust the plan that the coaches are giving you. Know what you have to do, know your role, and the rest will take care of itself. We have guys that help each and every one through the game. You have to get that groove, get in that feeling.

And we're confident in our style of play, confident in the chemistry of the group, and I think, ultimately, that will dictate our results always. I think personally, for me, I think about sitting on my couch watching the 2017 cycle and remembering watching when we didn't qualify for the World Cup and, you know, personally the effect that that had on me because I was in a good way at that time and an important part of my development and who knows if you continue to develop for another year if you go to the World Cup as a young player.

So I think about the responsibility that I have and the responsibility that I have on some of my teammates that we have to qualify. There's just no other option. And I think that when you're in big games and important games, you always have to remember what motivates you and what you're doing it for. And for us, we're doing it for all the US fans and we don't want to, obviously, let down our nation. So at the end of the day, you're battling it out, you're remembering every single moment what you're playing for and the importance that it holds.