What Clemson Can Learn From the USMNT’s World Cup Collapse | Clemson Tigers Podcast

Clemson football has talent, investment, belief, and rising expectations. But can the Tigers handle pressure when the moment gets heavy? Morgan Thomas takes a different angle on today’s Locked On Clemson, using the U.S. Men’s National Team’s World Cup run as a sports lesson for Clemson’s 2026 season. The USMNT created belief, played with freedom, and energized fans before collapsing against Belgium when the pressure rose. Clemson has to copy the belief, but avoid the shrinkage. This episode breaks down what Clemson must do against LSU and throughout the 2026 season to prove it is ready for big moments again. Christopher Vizzina has to play confident football. The offensive line has to be physical. Chad Morris has to call an offense that attacks. Tom Allen’s defense has to create pressure and negative plays. And Dabo Swinney’s program has to combine culture with killer instinct. 00:00 What Clemson can learn from the World Cup run 04:37 Developing real confidence at Clemson 09:38 Clemson’s 2026 pressure and expectations 12:58 Why belief is not enough in big moments 15:51 What Clemson cannot afford to do at LSU 19:42 The danger of shrinking under pressure 23:00 Clemson’s biggest pressure-test games 23:51 How the offense must play free and aggressive 27:24 Why Clemson needs tangible results in 2026 Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!   Odoo Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon. Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started now.   FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.