Keeping up on the World Cup hype

All right, welcome back to FOX 13 plus FIFA World Cup entering one of its most exciting stretches as the quarterfinals gets underway this week. We've already seen some surprises, some heartbreak. Unfortunately, the U.S. men's national team is out, but we've also seen plenty of incredible soccer and some, you know, some really big-time fans all across the U.S. Fans hoping for a deep run by the U.S. men's national team were disappointed, but they got to see them advance to the round of 16 earlier this week. But we've also learned a lot about the sport, about the U.S. men's national team, and also about the teams that are still in it in the quarterfinals. And we're going to talk all about this with University of Tampa's men's soccer coach Adrian Bush. He's joining us live here this morning on the plus. Coach, first of all, great to see you this morning. How you doing there? Good. How are you? Oh, doing great, doing great. We're inside. We're out of the heat, so we can't complain, right? Good. All right. So, first of all, you know, as a soccer coach and someone who's followed this sport for decades, what's been your overall impression of the World Cup so far? I think it's been amazing. You know, in any sport, you want to see the stars shine, right? And that's what I think we've gotten out of this World Cup. The big-name stars have risen to the occasion. It's not just one. It's every player from Messi and Mbappe. Holland has emerged on the scene. Harry Kane, you got the young star in, and Yamal. And every guy I think that's in that spotlight, you've seen those guys step up. And if there's anything to get excited about for these quarterfinal rounds, it's loaded with stars. And you're going to see some big-time games. And I think it's gotten the not-so-soccer fan. My son is a hockey player, and I've got his coaches and parents texting me and saying, this is the first soccer game I've ever watched, and the sport is amazing. And I think they're falling in love. So, I think it's been great for the U.S., you know, to host. And for our experience, you know, a little disappointed, but I think it's been an absolutely amazing World Cup. And the storylines that have kind of emerged is what's made it really special. Yeah. Has anything surprised you so far, whether it's a team or a player? Has anything been surprising to you? I think, you know, early on, it was the success of the African nation. I think almost every team, there was eight or nine teams that got through to the round of 32. That was special. Capoverde, you know, obviously their run. I think the whole country was kind of supporting that. Everyone loves the underdog. But I think it was those type of things. I think the U.S. run sparked a lot of interest. I was happy to see really not just the U.S., but all three host nations, you know, getting to the round of 32, which is Canada, Mexico, the U.S. I think it was great for the sport to see that the soccer game on Monday was the most watched soccer event ever for the United States. You know, it's promising. It tells a lot about what the World Cup has been able to do. Let's talk about the U.S. I mean, obviously a disappointing ending to the tournament there, but they, you know, making it as far as they did was impressive and fun to watch. So overall, how would you evaluate their performance? You know, I think it was a successful World Cup. I mean, obviously, you know, we want the story of the miracle, miracle on ice, right? We want the U.S. to be the underdogs and go all the way through. But I think reality kind of set in. I think our lack of depth kind of showed in these moments. You know, when you look at the Belgium game, you know, I think some stars emerged. I think Tillman was big time. I think Balligan emerged on the scene, you know, but we didn't get enough from our big name stars. And that's where I think we've got to close the gap a little bit. I think Belgium was just technically a superior team. I think they outclassed us in the game. I don't think we were ever really in the game. On Monday, we got close. And then, you know, some hard back-breaking goals, you know, when you score to tie it and you're really out of the game. And then all of a sudden, a minute and a half later, you're back to losing it. It just, it really, it was tough, but I'm encouraged. I think it should inspire a lot of young players. I know what the Rowdies did for me back in the day and for young kids to be able to see the World Cup and to see the United States and people just like them playing at the biggest stage. I think it can only inspire our nation. So I'm very happy with, I think, how we played it. I'm not happy with the result by no means. I'm an American and I wanted us to win the whole thing, but I'm encouraged. How big of a gap do you think still remains between the U.S. men's national team and some of these elite teams in other countries, even some of these, you know, the quarterfinal teams that have left France, Morocco, Belgium that they just lost to, teams like that? I mean, I just think the gap is still there. You know, it's evident, you know, we've not been able to get to, you know, that quarter past that hump of getting past that round of 16. We've lost to a European side. I just think the depth and overall quality within the teams, it's still there. And, you know, we've got to keep pushing. We've got to keep developing young talent, allowing these kids to play. And, you know, I think sometimes you can have too much structure inside of things. And I think, you know, back in the day, you know, it's funny because the countries that I think succeed are some of the countries that don't have a lot of resources and kids are having to play in the streets, find a game without a coach sometimes. And I think that those creativity type of players is where we've got to keep pushing to continue to develop in our country. And you mentioned about a couple of times, you know, inspiring the younger generation of soccer players. Have you already seen it? Are you already seeing that impact on the next generation of soccer players? Without a doubt. I mean, you know, we have a day camp going on right now and 120 kids. And, you know, I can't tell you how many out there wearing a messy Jersey, a Palooza Jersey, you know, from the U S your mall. I mean, all of these stars are represented. We have a thing Jersey day on Wednesdays. And I'm telling you, if you would have seen that thing yesterday, it was all the stars were supported by the young kids. So when you see a kid like your mall coming through for Spain, he's definitely a, people have not watched him. He's definitely a guy to watch. He broke on the scene at 15 years old. He's 18 now playing in the world cup at the biggest stage. And, and what I think is the country that, you know, a lot of people are pointing to France and Argentina. But I think what Spain is doing and not allowing a goal and that they are very mature loaded team. So want to keep an eye on, but your mall is definitely the young star to take a peek at and be inspired because he's, he's special. And the quarterfinals open up tonight, France and Morocco. What is interesting? What stands out about that one? I mean, tough game. I think Morocco, they got some tough news with a Sabari who's their best forward will be out cause of hamstring injury. So he's definitely a loss, but Morocco was my sleeper from the beginning. People, you know, they were the first African nation to get to a semifinal and the last world cup. And I think people forget that they were in the semifinal. That's who France beat to play Argentina last year. Their U twenties just won the world cup. So their pipeline of players coming through that younger generation for Morocco is tough, but they're a tough team. They've got a lot of grit. Yeah. They're missing a superstar, but Hakimi on the right side is a special talent. Diaz very, very good. But, you know, I think France is the favorite by far should be, uh, and Mbappe, can he continue the run that he's on? You know, so there's a lot of stories that I think are unfolding and, um, we'll see how, how, how it unfolds here today, but I'm really excited about all of these games that are getting ready to be played. I think, um, the, you know, we keep hearing about messy also, um, and, uh, you know, kids all, all wearing the messy Jersey. It's impossible to miss. Uh, do you think that they remain one of the favorites at this point? I mean, their experience, I mean, what transpired in the last game, you know, was, I mean, I just act as a fan and it's special. I mean, and anyone, you know, with the U S being out, if there's anything to watch, I mean, watch messy, you know, just you're watching something that I don't know that we will see again. I mean, for him to have nine goals and, you know, nine straight world cup games. I mean, you know, it's one thing to score your goals in group play and you're playing some weaker opponents, but if you go with five goals that were scored in this one, in every game, and then his last goals, that means he scored in the world cup final of last year, the world cup semifinal last year, the quarterfinal and the round of 16. So he's doing it against the elite and, um, what, what happened there on, you know, the other day against Egypt. I mean, that's one of the Epic comebacks and it just showed the heart of a champion and, uh, they're on a mission. They're going to be hard to beat. It was absolutely incredible. I just, you know, when we see these, these, uh, the, the final eight teams here that separates a good team from a championship team, you know, I think it's experience. And I think that's what France, you know, they, you know, this is now in Boppe. This is his third world cup. He won it. He lost him penalty kicks in the, in the last one to Argentina. You got Argentina now returning. I think those two teams have the experience of being in the moment. They're not going to get rattled. And I think you saw that when Argentina, you know, came back against Egypt, they they've been in this moment before. So I think that's the one advantage that they hold, but I think every team could be upset. All of these teams are really talented. Um, England, you know, what I saw from Bellingham, you know, Harry Kane is obviously a, a tremendous player, but Bellingham for me, uh, put himself with, I think the top three players in the world with the performances that I've seen that guy do. And I think England has a golden opportunity. Um, you know, it's been 70 years since they've, they've won a championship and a world cup title. So, you know, I think there's a lot of people pulling for England, but I think we're in store for tremendous semifinals and, um, any of these teams can push through really. Yeah. If you, if you had to pick one team to come out on top, which one would it Man, you put me on the spot. I'm going to do, I have to, you know, I, I like to go with, with, um, only one team from Europe has ever won on the Western hemisphere. And that was Germany, uh, I think back in 2014. So I think as many European teams that we have in this, I'm going to have to go. I think Argentina repeats as crazy as, as it would be for messy to win too. Um, I just think that you're seeing one of the greatest, if not the greatest player in our time, uh, on a mission to do something that no other, I think captain, I don't, I don't know that any other captain has won two world cups. Yeah. Um, and it would clearly separate himself from the rest of the pack. That would be something that would be something. Yeah. And for casual fans who really just kind of only tune in, uh, during the world cup and now maybe disappointed that the U S isn't still in it. Uh, what should they watch for? What would be your message to them to, to maintain their interest? Obviously this is going to be some of the highest level of soccer that they could possibly be watching, but what's your message to try to keep people watching? I think if you like stars and you like greatness, you know, and I think all of us as, as the casual sports fan, you know, I watch all sports and I love to see great talent. I think that's the one thing that you're definitely going to see. I think the passion from the fans, um, that's one of the things that I was kind of pulling for, uh, and the Columbia Switzerland game, I kind of want a Columbia to win that game, right? Because I wanted to see that Columbia, Argentina clash, but, uh, Switzerland is tremendous team, but I think there's star power all over the place. And I think if you like watching stars and you're seeing a golden boot race with messy, I think with eight goals, I think, um, you've got, you know, Mbappe and Holland was seven. Harry Kane is behind them. Who's going to win that race? You know, there's so many stories that have still yet to be written in this. And I think if I'm the casual fan, that's what I'm looking at. I want to watch the best of the best. And, uh, Erling Holland from Norway, if you've not seen them definitely tune in, uh, to that Norway England game, he is, you know, he is the best number nine forward in the, in the world. And, uh, he has captivated our country. So room for Norway in a small at England, Norway game is going to be phenomenal. All right, coach Bush. I really appreciate it. You, uh, the head men's soccer coach over at university of Tampa. Thank you so much for joining us and for giving us this insight this morning on Fox 13 plus. Appreciate it. No problem. Go Spartans. Exactly. Go Spartans. Take care. Have a good one. All right. Bye-bye.