local
How 'Country Roads' became the soundtrack of the US team's World Cup run
By R.J. Rico, Associated Press at KPRC 2 Houston (NBC / Click2Houston)
· 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 Sugar Land News
The adoption of "Take Me Home, Country Roads" by the US team in the World Cup has brought a sense of excitement and community to fans in Sugar Land and the broader Houston area. As locals gather to watch the matches, they can be heard singing along to the iconic song, creating a lively atmosphere that transcends the sport itself. The fact that the song's origins are rooted in a drive through Maryland, rather than West Virginia as the lyrics suggest, is a testament to the power of music to evoke a sense of place and belonging. For Sugar Land residents, who pride themselves on their community's strong sense of hometown spirit, the song's message of longing for a place to call home resonates deeply. As the US team continues its World Cup run, it will be interesting to see how the song's popularity endures and becomes a part of the local fan culture in Sugar Land and beyond.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 Houston (NBC / Click2Houston) . Sugar Land News 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 Houston (NBC / Click2Houston) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 2, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 Houston (NBC / Click2Houston) ·
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 Houston (NBC / Click2Houston) and curated for Sugar Land News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by R.J. Rico, Associated Press at KPRC 2 Houston (NBC / Click2Houston). To learn more about how Sugar Land News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Sugar Land News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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