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USMNT uses the power of TED LASSO to inspire players ahead of Qatar World Cup

Yellow billboards, with Lasso’s famous ‘Believe’ sign,' exhibited the fictional soccer coach's generous and encouraging words to the players and coach

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: With the FIFA world cup just over a week away, all eyes are on the United States national team. America’s most beloved fictional soccer coach, Ted Lasso, decided to drop some words of wisdom on big yellow billboards that went up in each team players' hometown to cheer them on.

Emmy Award winner Jason Sudeikis’ creation has been pretty busy since the day that the United States men's national soccer team's management (USMNT) announced the squad making the trip to Qatar for the world cup 2022. In the hometowns of the players and also the team's coach, yellow billboards with Lasso’s famous ‘Believe’ sign, exhibited his generous and encouraging words for which he has become so beloved.

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While only a few have been reported from around the country, the messages are all classic Ted Lasso lines. The images shared by astonished social media users capture the billboards that also describe the accomplishments and traits of the US team players that include winger Jordan Morris, midfielders Cristian Roldan and Luca de la Torre, defenders Tim Ream and DeAndre Yedlin, goalkeeper Matt Turner, and coach Gregg Berhalter. Each unique billboard can be found in the addressed individual’s hometown, from Seattle to San Diego to New Jersey.

In one billboard in Seattle, Lasso talked about Morris’ talent and said, "I'm sure you know all about bein' blown away being from Seattle and all." Capturing Lasso’s humor, another billboard gave Ream special motivation to shine bright, saying, "There should be a warning before the tournaments to load up on SPF and sunglasses to protect everyone from the Tim Ream Beam."

A sign at El Rancho High School in Pico Rivera, California, talked about Cristian Roldan’s hometown and how it's "the Premier Music Capital for Mexican Regional Music in the country." Another billboard outside Saint Joseph Regional High School in Bergen County, New Jersey, called keeper Matt Turner a "teeny Turner" noting how he "took up soccer to stay in shape for basketball and baseball."

Lasso gave de la Torre special treatment with a sign board saying "They got a legendary skateboarder [Tony Hawk], a legendary children's poet [Dr. Seuss], a legendary anchorman [the fictitious Ron Burgundy] and of course, a legendary soccer player: Luca de la Torrific."

US team coach Gregg Berhalter the 'Lasso treatment' with a sign making fun of his name, "I just know you and your extra "G" are gonna take those fellas all the way."

These funny yet heart-warming billboards garnered public attention, ahead of United States’ clash with Wales on Monday, November 21. The USMNT is making its return to the World Cup after its embarrassing failure to qualify for the 2018 tournament. It was the first time the US had missed the World Cup since the 1980s.