"Squid Game" team reveals why they cut 'a lot' of VIPs scenes from final season

The VIPs did not get VIP treatment in the final edit ofSquid Gamethis season. The Korean show's editor Nam Na-young tellsEntertainment Weeklythat she actually cut "a lot" of scenes from the final season featuring the rich, cruel VIPs who bet on the players' lives during the games. "Actually, there were more scenes with the VIPs," Nam says. "As I was editing, I did cut them a lot because when we're in the VIP room, the tension kind of releases. The contestants' emotions and reactions of the games were what I prioritized when editing." Courtesy of Netflix That's not the only secret revealed in EW's "It Takes a Village" video above, featuring Nam along with starLee Jung-jae, creator-directorHwang Dong-hyuk, production designer Chae Kyoung-sun, cinematographer Kim Ji-yong, and composer Jung Jae-il. The creative team behindSquid Gamebreaks down the making of the intense Jump Rope game in season 3, which the star reveals was the most difficult of the entire series. When it came to building the set, the creator says that the entire team has to think like the show's "mastermind" behind the games who wanted to return to childhood at the end of his life — similar toCitizen Kane's Rosebud. The production designer interpreted that as wanting to go home, which is why she invoked the feeling of a train station that many people in Korea take to go home on holidays. Meanwhile, the giant robots who swing the rope, Chul-soo and Young-hee, were modeled after well-known characters in Korean elementary school textbooks. "We designed Young-hee and Chul-soo's outfits to look like children dressed their best for their journey home," Chae says. "With their shoes being pretty and clean. And with Young-hee, we needed to pay attention to the space in between her legs, because actors had to pass through them — the visual design was important. One of the last things we did is put stockings on her, and as we were making those updates, we designed flowers on them." While the fall from the platform is fatal for the players in the game, it was a lot safer in real life for the actors — although some were still terrified. "The actual set was about five feet off the ground," Hwang reveals. "Even that that height, the actors felt the fear of heights." No Ju-han/Netflix Every department, from production design to stunts to visual effects, had to work closely together to make sure no one got hurt while filming this scene. "I wasn't rigged up on a wire for this," Lee says. "If you fell, it would hurt." At least the actors weren't at risk of getting hit by a real metal pole. "The jump rope is actually CGI," Lee reveals. "There were beeps for when the rope would be going around, then a long beep would signal that it is at our feet. But that wasn't so easy, keeping to the beat." Sign up forEntertainment Weekly'sfree daily newsletterto get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more. Watch the video above now to see the full interview, including how music was used to add tension to the scene, how they "leveled up" the VIP lounge set, and more. The final season ofSquid Gameis now streaming on Netflix. Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

“Squid Game” team reveals why they cut 'a lot' of VIPs scenes from final season

"Squid Game" team reveals why they cut 'a lot' of VIPs scenes from final season The VIPs did not get VIP treatment in the ...
Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath's final show: Here's how to streamNew Foto - Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath's final show: Here's how to stream

Ozzy OsbourneandBlack Sabbathare taking the stage together for the final time – and you can stream the event. The concert, dubbed "Back to the Beginning," is set to take place Saturday, July 10, at Villa Park – home of Aston Villa Football Club – in Birmingham, England. Osbourne will perform, then he will join Black Sabbath for a set featuring the original four members who formed a band in 1967 – guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, drummer Bill Ward and Osbourne – performing together for the first time since 2005. (DuringBlack Sabbath's"The End" tour, which ended in February 2017 in Birmingham, drummer Tommy Clufetos joined the other three in place of Ward.) Black Sabbath and Osbourne are the headliners on a day of music featuring a who's who in hard rock. Also on the bill: Metallica, Guns 'N Roses, Slayer and several other bands. There's also a slew of other big-name artists who will likely team up in various configurations; among them areSammy Hagar, Smashing Pumpkins co-founder Billy Corgan,Jake E. Lee, the one-time guitarist for Osbourne who has recovered from a shooting in October 2024, andTom Morello(Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave), who is the event's music director. "This will be the greatest heavy metal show ever," Morello said in aFeb. 5 press release announcing the event. Osbourne wanted to do one more showto say a proper "goodbye" to friends and fans,Sharon Osbourne, Ozzy Osbourne's wife, toldBBCback in February. After his wife proposed the idea of Ozzy playing a final gig at Villa Park in Birmingham, an industrial city about 120 miles northwest of London and the birthplace of the original Sabbath members, "I called Geezer, Tony and Bill to see if they wanted to come up to do some songs and thankfully, they did," Osbourne toldMojo magazine. Osbourne may perform seated on a throne, Iommi told Mojo. That's not unprecedented stagecraft. Guns 'N Roses frontman Axl Rose used a throne for several shows in 2016, including atCoachellaafter he suffered a broken foot. He borrowed the throne fromDave Grohl of Foo Fighterswho debuted it at the band's 20th anniversary show in 2015 in Washington, D.C. to allow him to perform despite a broken leg. Since Osbourne's last full concert – OzzFest in Los Angeles on New Year's Eve 2018 – he has faced several medical challenges including a fall and beingdiagnosed with Parkinson's diseasein 2019. In 2023,Osbourne cancelled U.K. and European tour datesand a planned performance at thePower Trip festivalbecause of his physical weakness. "Unfortunately, my body is telling me that I'm just not ready yet," he said at the time. In May 2024, Osbourne said he wasundergoing stem cell treatmentsafter doctors discovered a tumor on his vertebrae. Alivestreamof the daylong event was announced in June. While it's called a livestream, the video will be delayed two hours from the in-arena start time. Those who stream the event will be able to start watching at 10 a.m. ET/7 a.m. PT. Here's what it costs; go tobacktothebeginning.comto purchase: Livestream ticket: $29.99. Gets you live viewing and access to video for 48 hours. Livestream and T-shirt bundle: $64.98. Event viewing and a Back to the Beginning T-shirt. Concert proceedsbenefitCure Parkinson's,Birmingham Children's HospitalandAcorn Children's Hospice. There's also anonline auctionbenefiting those charities. Items up for bid include two Gibson guitars signed by performers, a Guns 'N Roses pinball machine, several gold record and CD displays including Black Sabbath's "Paranoid," Led Zeppelin's "Physical Graffiti" and Metallica's "Master of Puppets," plus a dozen-plus travel packages including seven nights at Royal Westmoreland, Barbados. Bands scheduled to perform include Metallica, Guns N' Roses, Slayer, Tool, Pantera, Gojira, Halestorm, Alice In Chains, Lamb Of God, Anthrax, Mastodon and Rival Sons. Artists also expected to perform, according to the event (although the lineup is subject to change): Frank Bello (Anthrax) Mike Bordin (Faith No More) Billy Corgan (The Smashing Pumpkins) KK Downing (KK's Priest, Judas Priest) David Draiman (Disturbed) Fred Durst (Limp Bizkit) Sammy Hagar Lzzy Hale (Halestorm) Scott Ian (Anthrax) Jake E. Lee (Red Dragon Cartel, Badlands, ex-Ozzy Osbourne's band) Duff McKagan & Slash (Guns N' Roses) Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine) Papa V Perpetua (Ghost) Rudy Sarzo Sleep Token II (Sleep Token) Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society, ex-Ozzy Osbourne) Mike Snider is a reporter on USA TODAY's Trending team. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, X and email him atmikegsnider&@mikegsnider.bsky.social&@mikesnider& msnider@usatoday.com What's everyone talking about?Sign up for our trending newsletter to get the latest news of the day This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne: How to stream 'Back to the Beginning'

Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath's final show: Here's how to stream

Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath's final show: Here's how to stream Ozzy OsbourneandBlack Sabbathare taking the stage together for th...
How many times has Novak Djokovic won Wimbledon? Full list of results by yearNew Foto - How many times has Novak Djokovic won Wimbledon? Full list of results by year

Novak Djokovic has won 24 Grand Slam events during his illustrious career, the most by any men's singles player in tennis history. The 38-year-old Serbian star has enjoyed a lot of success at the Australian Open, where he has taken home 10 of his 24 major wins. His second-favorite Grand Slam venue? The grass courts at the All England Club. Djokovic is tied with Pete Sampras and William Renshaw for the second-most all-time wins at Wimbledon. Only Roger Federer has more than him at tennis' oldest major, but Djokovic will have a chance to match his record in 2025. Here's what to know about Djokovic's history at Wimbledon as he competes in the tournament for the 20th time. AI JUDGES:Wimbledon set-up receives mixed reviews from players, fans Djokovic has won Wimbledon seven times during his career, tied for the second-most all time behind Roger Federer (eight). Djokovic's first title came in 2011, when he beat Rafael Nadal in four sets to win his third-ever major. He most recently won the event over Nick Kyrgios in 2022, marking what was then his fourth consecutive win at the major. Notably, three of Djokovic's seven wins have come over Federer, who he beat in 2014, 2015 and 2019. Their five-set battle in 2019 lasted four hours and 57 minutes, marking the longest singles final matchup in Wimbledon history. Here's a look at how Djokovic has won each of his seven Wimbledon titles to date: 2011: Djokovic defeats Rafael Nadal in four sets – 6-4, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3 2014: Djokovic defeats Roger Federer in five sets – 6-7 (7-9), 6-4, 7-6 (7-4), 5-7, 6-4 2015: Djokovic defeats Roger Federer in four sets – 7-6 (7-1), 6-7 (10-12), 6-4, 6-3 2018: Djokovic defeats Kevin Anderson in three sets – 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (7-3) 2019: Djokovic defeats Roger Federer in five sets – 7-6 (7-5), 1-6, 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 13-12 (7-3) 2021: Djokovic defeats Matteo Berrettini in four sets – 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 2022: Djokovic defeats Nick Kyrgios in four sets – 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) Djokovic has made it to the finals on three other occasions in 2013, 2023 and 2024. Andy Murray beat Djokovic in three sets (6-4, 7-5, 6-4) in the 2013 matchup while Carlos Alcaraz beat the Serb in both the 2023 and 2024 finals. ALL ENGLAND CLUB:What to know about home of Wimbledon Djokovic first appeared in Wimbledon during the 2005 season. Below is a look at how he has fared each season dating back to his tournament debut. 2005: Round 3 2006: Round 4 2007: Semifinals 2008: Round 2 2009: Quarterfinals 2010: Semifinals 2011: Winner 2012: Semifinals 2013: Finals 2014: Winner 2015: Winner 2016: Round 3 2017: Quarterfinals 2018: Winner 2019: Winner 2020: Tournament canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic 2021: Winner 2022: Winner 2023: Finals 2024: Finals This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Novak Djokovic Wimbledon history: How many times has he won?

How many times has Novak Djokovic won Wimbledon? Full list of results by year

How many times has Novak Djokovic won Wimbledon? Full list of results by year Novak Djokovic has won 24 Grand Slam events during his illustr...
Joey Chestnut reveals tips on how he became GOAT at hot dog eating contestNew Foto - Joey Chestnut reveals tips on how he became GOAT at hot dog eating contest

Joey Chestnut is set to return to the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest Friday, July 4 after a one-year ban due to a contractual dispute. What remains indisputable is his standing at an event that officially started in 1972. He is the GOAT. Over the past two decades, Chestnut has won the contest 16 times, 10 more than any other eater has won the men's competition in the history of the event. He also holds record for most hot dogs and buns consumed during the 10-minute contest with 72, 10 more than any other competitor has eaten. During an interview with USA TODAY Sports, Chestnut, 41, shared details about how he became the Greatest Of All Time after eating 32 hot dogs and buns in 2005 in his debut at the Nathan's contest. Chestnut said his inner drive remains high two decades later. "I want to push myself,'' he said. "There's room for growth. I've seen that there's little things I can do to get better at everything. I enjoy pushing myself at setting up these crazy contests at home." Despite winning 16 Mustard belts, awarded to Nathan's champion ever year, Chestnut said some things never change as the contest approaches. "I still get nervous,'' he said. "I mean, I definitely still care.'' On the day of the contest, Chestnut uses an electric stimulation machine on his abdomen. "To get everything working, get everything loose,'' he said. "I'm working really hard to get everything relaxed.'' For competitive eaters, the standard training involves drinking excessive amounts of water to stretch their stomachs and increase their capacity for hot dogs and buns and to simulate the hot dog contest. Chestnut, however, has elevated training and preparation to another level. Although he said he would not reveal all of his secrets, his novel techniques include neck raises with a 16-pound bag attached to a leather strap that hangs from a mouthguard, according to Chestnut. "When I'm raising up (his neck), I have to keep my jaw clenched the entire time,'' he said. "And when I'm raising up, I'm almost imagining I'm swallowing. So I'm thrusting my tongue against the leather strap the mouthpiece is glued to. "That's good for the jaws and my neck a little bit.'' Then there are the burping exercises, Chestnut explained. "If I'm outside, I can practice swallowing and then burp, getting all those muscles and my esophagus working together,'' he said. "It also helps my stomach because there's layers of muscle around your stomach and those muscles have to get used to stretching, and you can't stretch it all the time with food or even water.'' He also said he takes Primatene, an over-the-counter drug used for mild intermittent asthma. "I noticed early on right away, it helped me breathe through my nose while I'm eating,'' he said. "But it also helped (get) amped up. That's one of my little tricks.'' Few details escape Chestnut, such as the water he uses for dunking the hot dog buns. "I like my water about 116 degrees," he said. "Hot water, it helps digestion, helps muscles relax, helps fat stay liquid. The muscles stretching, the hot water really helps that.'' At home, Chestnut said, he practices with the water temperature as low as 111 degrees and as high as 121 degrees because it's challenging to get the water to exactly 116 degrees on the day of the contest. He also said he practices getting the water to the right temperature quickly because at Nathan's there is limited time between the introductions and start of the contest. "Everybody brings their own water, and I'll have a two-gallon bag within another bag that keeps it pretty close to (116 degrees). It will come out just a little bit hot and I'll just have a cup of cold water and just pour a little bit of water. "And (during training) I practice mixing it to the temperature I like really quickly.'' Generally speaking, Chestnut said, he's a mild-mannered guy. But he's learned to channel his anger when he's competing at Nathan's. "I kind of kept it hidden how competitive I was with it. I mean, it seemed really almost crazy to be that competitive for eating contest. ... "I like having this perfect mix of anger and I'm amped up. But then I can also breathe calm. It sounds really weird, but I can be angry and calm at the same time.'' The anger flared during the 2022 contest, when hebriefly put a protester in a chokeholdafter the man came onto the stage and bumped Chestnut. "I look at video and I look really, really angry,'' Chestnut said. "I felt embarrassed.'' Quickly, Chestnut resumed eating. He won the contest by a margin of 15 hot dogs and buns. Less sheepish about his intensity, Chestnut said this year he'll draw on lingering anger about being banned last year. "I'm going to let loose,'' said the GOAT. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Hot dog eating contest 2025: Joey Chestnut reveals how he became GOAT

Joey Chestnut reveals tips on how he became GOAT at hot dog eating contest

Joey Chestnut reveals tips on how he became GOAT at hot dog eating contest Joey Chestnut is set to return to the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating...
Orlando Bloom Posts Quotes About 'Loneliness' and 'Sadness' Following Katy Perry SplitNew Foto - Orlando Bloom Posts Quotes About 'Loneliness' and 'Sadness' Following Katy Perry Split

Gary Gershoff/WireImage; Michael Hurcomb/Shutterstock Following his recent split from Katy Perry, Orlando Bloom shared a series of reflective quotes from Swiss psychiatrist and psychotherapist Carl Jung on Wednesday, June 2 While one quote reflected on "sadness," another was a musing on "loneliness" PEOPLE confirmed on June 26 that Bloom and Perry had gone their separate ways after nine years together Orlando Bloomis seemingly feeling reflective following hissplit from Katy Perry. On Wednesday, July 2, the actor, 48, re-posted acarousel of musingsfrom the Swiss psychiatrist and psychotherapist Carl Jung taken from the account@sapienkind.  Among the posts was an exploration of the idea of "loneliness." A second quote said that even a happy life needs to be balanced by "sadness." These reflections on "loneliness" and "sadness" are particularly interesting given that Bloom has just split from his fiancée, pop starKaty Perry, 40. PEOPLE confirmed on June 26 that the couple had gone their separate ways. Noam Galai/Getty That same day, Bloom flew solo toLauren SánchezandJeff Bezos'wedding. The English actor wasphotographed arriving in the Italian cityand hanging out with reality starsKimandKhloé Kardashian, as well as their mom,Kris Jenner, over lunch at the Gritti Palace. After meeting at aGolden Globes afterpartyin 2016, Bloom and Perry went Instagram official a few months later when they attended the Cannes Film Festival together. After dating for a year, the pair parted ways in 2017 but soon rekindled their romance andgot engaged in February 2019. Perry later revealed the details of the Valentine's Day proposal during an appearance onJimmy Kimmel Live. "Orlando had planned this for a while," a source told PEOPLE of the milestone moment. "He wanted it all to be special." He even asked for her parents' approval beforehand. CraSH/imageSPACE/Shutterstock The pair announced the following year that they wereexpecting a baby. They planned to wedin Japan in summer 2020, but their big day was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. In August 2020, the couplewelcomed a baby girlcalled Daisy Dove. A year later,Perry told PEOPLEthat motherhood was "just the best in the world. It's the game-changer." She added, "My heart is so full, finally." Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories. Earlier this year, the "Firework" singeropened up to PEOPLEabout balancing a long-term relationship and a busy career, reflecting that it was all about learning your significant other's love language. The PEOPLE Appis now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! "I've talked a lot about love languages and how important they are in learning your partner's love language, and even if it isn't your love language, tapping into that for them," the "Hot N Cold" singer said at the time. Bloom's upcoming film projects includeThe Cut,Bucking Fastard, andWizards! Read the original article onPeople

Orlando Bloom Posts Quotes About ‘Loneliness’ and ‘Sadness’ Following Katy Perry Split

Orlando Bloom Posts Quotes About 'Loneliness' and 'Sadness' Following Katy Perry Split Gary Gershoff/WireImage; Michael Hurc...
Did Cassie consent to Diddy? With abuse, there can't be consent.New Foto - Did Cassie consent to Diddy? With abuse, there can't be consent.

ANew York jurybelievedCasandra Ventura Finehad consented. To an escort urinating in her mouth. To an inflatable pool of baby oil. To sex with strangers. In the end, the jury found her then-boyfriendSean "Diddy" Combsnot guilty of coercing her into "freak offs" – sex sessions with escorts. Combs was only guilty of transporting her and another woman known only as Jane for prostitution. The defense version of events had prevailed: By his attorney's own admission Combs was an abuser with an "out of control" temper. But this was also alifestyle– neither of the things he was on trial for. But can someone ever really freely consent when there is abuse? When does consent become survival? What if a yes is because the last time a victim said no, they were met with a punch to the face. Ventura Finehad testified that at times she told Combs what he wanted to hear – that she looked forward to the "freak offs" because he had abused her, and she was afraid of him. "Victims know what their partner is capable of, and 'consent' may be made under duress," says Katie Ray-Jones, CEO of the National Domestic Violence Hotline. "That should not be considered consent." With abuse, there never can be consent, victims and advocates say. There always is an invisible gun to your head. Inside the Diddy trialAbusive lifestyle vs. a criminal enterprise: What the verdict means "You kept coming back to him for 11 years," Combs' attorney Teny Geragos said during the trial. Ventura Fine paused. "I wouldn't use 'coming back,'" she said. If you don't fight back, are you giving consent? It was the central question in two of the charges in this case, and the question pivotal to many sex abuse cases. Ventura Fine was at the now-shutteredInterContinental Hotelin Los Angeles with Combs in 2016 for a "freak off" when he hit her. When she tried to leave, he ran after her into a hallway. She curled into a ball to try to protect herself. Combs pushed her to the ground, pulled her by the hair, dragged her and kicked her. She didn't fight back. She had done so earlier in the relationship. It "would make it worse for myself," she said. Fighting back would make Combs "stronger and want to push me harder." While the video was shown to the jury, the defense contends it simply shows abuse, not coercion. Judge Arun Subramanian ruled thatpsychologist Dawn Hugheswas not allowed to discuss "coercive control," which is a type of domestic abuse. She was, however, allowed to discuss coping strategies for victims and explain why victims may stay in abusive or violent relationships. Victims can form trauma bonds with their abusers, she testified. Hughes compared trauma bonding to a slot machine: "Someone knows they're going to lose most of the time, but when you strike gold it feels good and you're always chasing that feeling, so victims are often trying to chase those nice moments with an abusive partner. Sometimes, survival can simply mean keeping yourself safe, and that might be staying in an abusive relationship, Ray-Jones says. "It shouldn't be confused with consent." The Diddy verdict:The message it sends sexual assault survivors Ventura Fine met Combs when she was 19 and he was 37. He controlled her career, her finances. She learned that saying no or pushing back from abuse was met with more abuse. At one point, Combs demanded money from her parents or he would release a sex tape. He forced her to carry his handgun. "Whatever was going to not make him angry or threaten me, I was going to do," she testified. And so sometimes staying is the only option a victim can see. "People undervalue how much strength and courage it takes to get out. And that means the strength and courage victims have every single day when they're living in an abusive or controlling relationship just to stay alive," Ray-Jones says. "There is so much difficulty in just survival. So much strength." Defense attorneys said Ventura Fine simply wanted money, a similar story that has played out in other sex abuse cases such as Harvey Weinstein, R. Kelly and Johnny Depp. Ventura filed a civil suit against Combs in November 2023, when the New York Adult Survivors Act gave sexual abuse victims a short window to file civil claims even after the statute of limitations had lapsed. Combssettled the case the next day for $20 million. On the stand, prosecutor Emily Johnson posed a question to Ventura Fine: "Would you give that money back if you never had to have freak offs?" "I'd give that money back if it meant I never had to have freak-offs," she said. "I would have agency and autonomy. I wouldn't have to have worked so hard to get it back." Combs is no longer a part of Cassie's life. They crossed paths for the first time in seven years on May 13, when she testified against Combs. She didn't even look at him. She looked straight ahead. He sat there, a broken man with seven kids from four moms, the stories he once paid people to keep secret exposed. Guilty of two charges, he will learn his sentence later this year. Each count carries a maximum penalty of 10 years. Since leaving Combs in 2018, Ventura Fine has done the hard work to get better - the inpatient rehab, the therapy, the self-reflection. She's rebuilt her life with her husbandAlex, who sat in court each day of her testimony. They have two beautiful girls and gorgeous new baby boy. A dog named French Fry. A life where she makes herself matcha on a moment's notice. Pancakes for the girls. A life she has consented to. And tonight, Combs will sleep in theBrooklyncell that has been his abode since September 2024. Laura Trujillo is a national columnist focusing on health and wellness. She is the author of "Stepping Back from the Ledge: A Daughter's Search for Truth and Renewal," and can be reached at ltrujillo@usatoday.com. If you are a survivor of sexual assault, RAINNoffers support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673) and Hotline.RAINN.org and en Español RAINN.org/es. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Jury says Cassie consented to Diddy

Did Cassie consent to Diddy? With abuse, there can't be consent.

Did Cassie consent to Diddy? With abuse, there can't be consent. ANew York jurybelievedCasandra Ventura Finehad consented. To an escort ...
'That is football': Mauricio Pochettino lauds Guatemala fans, challenges U.S. soccer culture after Gold Cup winNew Foto - 'That is football': Mauricio Pochettino lauds Guatemala fans, challenges U.S. soccer culture after Gold Cup win

ST. LOUIS — The question was about chance creation. But Mauricio Pochettino wanted to talk about soccer culture. He was speaking after hisU.S. men's national team beat Guatemala 2-1 here in a Gold Cup semifinal. But of all the things he witnessed Wednesday, what apparently impressed Pochettino the most was "the fans of Guatemala … Unbelievable," he said. And then he spoke for two minutes and 40 seconds straight, from the heart, about what he hoped U.S. soccer would learn from the experience. From thepassion that filled Energizer Park immediately when gates opened at 4:30 p.m.From the chants that rang and the flags that rippled and "the energy that translates" to the field, as Pochettino said. It inspired Guatemalan players, who on paper were overmatched, but on Wednesday put a mighty scare into the USMNT. After they came up just short, "I saw a player of Guatemala crying," Pochettino said. He congratulated that player, then used him as an example 20 minutes later. "That," he said, "is the way that we need to feel." "And our fans need to feel the same," he continued. "It's not to come here to enjoy all the spectacle, and if you lose, nothing happens. … Things happen." Pochettino is from Argentina. "In Argentina, it's not the same if we lose. The consequences are massive," he explained. They're significant as well in Spain, France and England, where he spent 30 years as a player and coach beforetaking charge of the USMNT last fall. "Win or lose, it's not the same. It's not the same. It's a lot of consequence," he reiterated at his postmatch press conference. His stateside move, in this sense, has clearly been a culture shock. He has inherited players who, he seemingly feels, do not have the same level of life-or-death desire that gets ingrained in kids throughout South and Central America. In many countries, "you play [to] survive. You play for food. You play for pride," Pochettino said. "You play for many things. It's not to go and enjoy, and go home, and laugh, and that's it. "The moment that we — now, this roster — start to live in this way, I think we have big room to improve." He hasn't explicitly said that his players go home and laugh after wins. But many grew up in a country, the U.S., where soccer is not played to survive, to escape poverty, to change a family's life; it typically begins as a recreational pursuit,often in middle-class suburbs. It becomes something more as talented kids join academies, and then turn pro, of course; there is a level of "desperation," though — a word Pochettino has used — that is socially ingrained elsewhere but not here. And it's reinforced, if not mandated, by fans. Fans who demand everything by giving everything. Fans who buzz around a stadium at 10 a.m., then fill it at 6 p.m., and stand for 90 minutes, and chant: "Sí se puede!"Yes we can! "I think the fans gave to you, to Guatemala, an unbelievable energy," Pochettino said. Veteran defender Tim Ream agreed: "It spurred them on to push and fight." "That is football," Pochettino said, and then he repeated the line twice more. "That is football. That is football." That "connection between the fans and the team," he said, "that is the connection that we [would] like to see in the World Cup. That connection that makes you fly." In his time atop the USMNT, instead, he has seen several half-empty stadiums. And even when full, the environments are relatively laid-back, inorganic or tame. The apathy surrounding the team has likely opened his eyes, and sometimes seems difficult for him to fathom. What he hadn't yet experienced, though, until Wednesday, was a true road game at home. "It was like [playing] in Guatemala," Pochettino said. "It was an atmosphere that we didn't expect," he added. And it clearly had an impact on the game. "You can't understate what a partisan crowd can do to young minds, guys who haven't experienced it," Ream said. "Sometimes, the pressure comes, the fans feel like they're on top of you, the noise is deafening, and you kinda lose it a little bit." As a few players pointed out, Pochettino should have expected it. It's a reality in the United States, where there are millions of people with ties to soccer-mad countries in Latin America. "We're a country full of immigrants. It was kind of expected for tonight," defender Chris Richards said. "It's beautiful to see how much respect they have, but also how much support they have." When told that Pochettino was surprised, Richards said: "I think Mauricio kinda being a little bit newer to the U.S., I think he wasn't quite ready for it." Ream indicated that some younger players were taken aback, too. He and others called it an ideal "learning experience" for Sunday's final against Mexico in Houston. "This game tonight would be like a little brother to the U.S.-Mexico game," Richards said. They'll go into Sunday better equipped, mentally. Pochettino, though, wasn't thinking about how his team would handle that atmosphere. He was dreaming of replicating Guatemala's passion, and its impact on players, in the team that he coaches. "If you see the big teams or countries [play games], it's not playing," Pochettino said. "Today, do you think that was a sport, two teams playing, and doing a spectacle? No. You play for something more. You play for emotion. You play [to], be happy, be sad." That is what he wants here. It's a dynamic, of course, that takes decades to develop, and might never develop in a nation of unmatched wealth and unparalleled opportunity in other sports and fields. But how can it start? "I think winning helps. But I also think guys like [midfielder] Diego Luna help. I also think guys like [midfielder] Malik Tillman help," Ream said. And "fighting and togetherness" help. "Doing that fosters that connection with the fans — with the diehards, with the casuals, with everybody. And as long as we continue to do that, that culture grows. The feelings grow. And the connections grow."

'That is football': Mauricio Pochettino lauds Guatemala fans, challenges U.S. soccer culture after Gold Cup win

'That is football': Mauricio Pochettino lauds Guatemala fans, challenges U.S. soccer culture after Gold Cup win ST. LOUIS — The ques...
Brisbane Olympics 2032 main stadium gets major funding boost from federal, state governmentsNew Foto - Brisbane Olympics 2032 main stadium gets major funding boost from federal, state governments

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Queensland state officials said Thursday they had secured a deal with the federal government for the2032 Olympicsin Brisbane which commits 50-50 funding for minor venues and 1.2 billion Australian dollars ($788 million) toward a new main stadium at Brisbane's Victoria Park. The federal government is set to invest more than 3.4 billion Australian dollars ($2.23 billion) in the Games — the single largest contribution towards sporting infrastructure in Australia's history, federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said. "It is about ensuring that when we hand the keys back after the closing ceremony, Queensland has the infrastructure it needs to build on this incredible legacy for decades to come," King said. The centerpiece of Brisbane 2032 is a proposed 63,000-seat stadium at the inner-city Victoria Park. Investigative works at the site have begun with geotechnical studies and soil sampling ongoing. Brisbane 2032chief executive Andrew Liveris welcomed the agreement and said he hopes construction will begin at major venues by the end of 2026. "Today marks a significant shift in forward momentum following the Queensland government's announcement in March of its 2032 Delivery Plan," Liveris said. The International Olympic Committee has backed the Queensland government's 2032 venue plan afterseveral false starts,saying the Brisbane Games are "on the right path." In May, Kirsty Coventry was in Brisbane for a three-day inspection visit before she took over asIOC president. AP Olympics athttps://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

Brisbane Olympics 2032 main stadium gets major funding boost from federal, state governments

Brisbane Olympics 2032 main stadium gets major funding boost from federal, state governments BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Queensland state off...
Today's Wordle Hint, Answer for #1475 on Thursday, July 3, 2025New Foto - Today's Wordle Hint, Answer for #1475 on Thursday, July 3, 2025

Today's Wordle Hint, Answer for #1475 on Thursday, July 3, 2025originally appeared onParade. Wordle 1475 ahead.Let's start with a few hints. 🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 There is one vowel out of the five letters in the word today. Today's Wordle begins with a consonant. Yes, there are double letters in today's Wordle. A brightly colored flower with delicate petals. OK, that's it for hints—I don't want to totally give it away before revealing the answer!Related:16 Games Like Wordle To Give You Your Word Game Fix More Than Once Every 24 HoursWe'll have the answer below this friendly reminder ofhow to play the game.SPOILERS BELOW—do not scroll any further if you don't want the answer revealed. Today's Wordle answer on Thursday, July 3, 2025, isPOPPY.How'd you do? -Catch Up on Other Wordle Answers From This Week Today's Wordle Hint, Answer for #1475 on Thursday, July 3, 2025first appeared on Parade on Jul 3, 2025 This story was originally reported byParadeon Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.

Today's Wordle Hint, Answer for #1475 on Thursday, July 3, 2025

Today's Wordle Hint, Answer for #1475 on Thursday, July 3, 2025 Today's Wordle Hint, Answer for #1475 on Thursday, July 3, 2025origi...
Fans Congratulate 'American Pickers' Mike Wolfe on Landmark Accomplishment: 'Living Legend'New Foto - Fans Congratulate 'American Pickers' Mike Wolfe on Landmark Accomplishment: 'Living Legend'

Fans Congratulate 'American Pickers' Mike Wolfe on Landmark Accomplishment: 'Living Legend'originally appeared onParade. Fans ofAmerican PickersstarMike Wolfecongratulated the 61-year-old on an impressive accomplishment as he celebrated 16 years working on the hit reality TV series. The TV star shared a video on July 2 in celebration of the long-awaited premiere ofSeason 27of the show on History, taking a moment to highlight how many years it has been sinceAmerican Pickersstarted. 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 In the new clip, Wolfe began, "Hey, I just wanted to drop by and let you guys know our new season kicks off tonight, 8/9 Central on the History Channel." "This is our 16th year," he went on, referencing how long it has been since the show first kicked off. "I think we've done something like, I don't know, 1,300 picks total. That's 1,300 different stories that we've told over the years." Wolfe then thanked the fans for their support, saying, "And we obviously wouldn't be able to do any of this without you guys. We're all growing old together, digging on history, and uncovering really cool items that connect each other." American Pickersoriginally premiered on the History Channel in early 2010. In his latest update, Wolfe is likely referencing the time frame from when the show got officially greenlit by a TV network. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mike Wolfe (@mikewolfeamericanpicker) Fans cheered Wolfe andAmerican Pickerson in the comments, with replies like, "Hard to believe 16 years," "A living legend, keep on picking," and "Watched from beginning and loved every minute of it. Thank you." "Amazing! Always loved the concept. Things get old, but they never really die," said another, while a different fan commented, "That's awesome! Your show will always be therapy for me!! Congrats!" "Still my all time favorite show!" declared someone else in praise ofAmerican Pickers. The comments quickly filled up with more congratulations for Wolfe, as well as personal stories from fans who have connected with the series. Related: 'American Pickers' Mike Wolfe and Danielle Colby Make Huge Announcement About Show Fans Congratulate 'American Pickers' Mike Wolfe on Landmark Accomplishment: 'Living Legend'first appeared on Parade on Jul 3, 2025 This story was originally reported byParadeon Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.

Fans Congratulate ‘American Pickers’ Mike Wolfe on Landmark Accomplishment: ‘Living Legend’

Fans Congratulate 'American Pickers' Mike Wolfe on Landmark Accomplishment: 'Living Legend' Fans Congratulate 'American ...

 

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