local
How 'Country Roads' became the soundtrack of the US team's World Cup run
By R.J. Rico, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 2, 2026
· 5 min read
It's become one of the enduring scenes of the U.S. team during this World Cup: jubilant U.S. players joining tens of thousands of fans in singing John Denver's “Take Me Home, Country Roads” at the end of their matches.Even coach Mauricio Pochettino, who was born in Argentina and lives in Spain, g...
Key takeaway Even coach Mauricio Pochettino, who was born in Argentina and lives in Spain, got in on the act after Wednesday's 2-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina, belting out the words to Denver's anthem as he hugged his players and staff members.
Why this matters in The Pearland
As Pearland residents cheer on the US team in the World Cup, they're likely to hear the familiar tune of "Take Me Home, Country Roads" echoing from living rooms and sports bars across the city. The song's adoption by the team has brought a new level of excitement to the tournament, and its connection to the US team's matches will undoubtedly be a topic of conversation among Pearland's soccer fans. With the city's strong sense of community and pride in local events, it's possible that "Country Roads" will become a rallying cry for Pearland's US team supporters, much like it has for the players themselves. As the tournament progresses, Pearland residents may find themselves singing along to the iconic song, feeling a sense of camaraderie with fellow fans and the US team as they compete on the world stage.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Pearland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 2, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? It's become one of the enduring scenes of the U.S. team during this World Cup: jubilant U.S. players joining tens of thousands of fans in singing John Denver's “Take Me Home, Country Roads” at the end of their matches.Even coach Mauricio Pochettino, who was born in Argentina and lives in Spain, g...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 2, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Pearland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by R.J. Rico, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Pearland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Pearland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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