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Normally, when you lose a game, nothing positive comes away from it. But in our sense, we have lost and the initial rush of adrenaline still hadn't hit is exactly when we stepped into the changing room.

Everyone looked at each other and as soon as that first champagne bottle popped, everyone realized, we're going to guitar.

It's Roch, here. We've not just any guest, but a gentume I have long admired since the very first time he walked into my studio.

Then, aged 17, he just emerged as a professional player, an unapologetic mix of silk and steel, capable of repelling all comers. He quickly defined himself as both Tyler the creator and Tyler the destroyer in equal measure.

And he's just qualified with the US men for World Cup 2022. And there's a clue in the name of this podcast. Tyler Adams, road to the cup, powered by Volkswagen. It's a joy to welcome Mr. Tyler Adams.

Raj, thank you so much for having me.

Oh, Tyler, it is genuinely a joy. Congratulations, mate. Where am I finding you?

I'm in my position right now with a bunch of games coming up. A bunch of games. This is the business end of the season. And it is a joy to speak to you at this time.

But we've got to talk about it. As I mentioned, you've just qualified for World Cup 2022. And as I said in the introduction, the very first time I met you, you swaggered into my studio.

And with a rare mix of confidence and humility, I want to make it clear there was both in your tone as a 17 year old. You look me in the eye and you said,

it's my dream to lead my nation into a World Cup. And Tyler, many of us have that dream. But you're actually about to fulfill it. Are you aware of just how incredible that journey is?

Not quite. I'm still going through the process of processing that dream because growing up as a young kid, you sit in the front yard and you say,

oh, this is going to be the winner of the World Cup final when you're shooting on goal with your brothers.

I've done it. I've been there exactly, exactly. And now to go through this qualifying process and to say we've qualified for World Cup and to hopefully be leading the boys out, come guitar. That's exciting.

I want to make it clear. I'm probably one of the few people who have won the World Cup in my dreams with two nations. I've won it both with England as a young person. And then,

oh, politely with the United States of America and Greg Berholtto. I know you're listening. It's not too late to call me up. But I've got to say, watching you after the Costa Riki game in which the United States ended the qualifying journey,

spraying the putt wiser around the locker room post game in triumph, dancing around. I was so bloody happy for you. A gent who was a kid spent six years commuting up to four hours round trip, five nights a week to red bull youth academy training. That sacrifice, that devotion, that dedication.

And it all paid off in that moment as you spray in the bud around can you describe your emotions normally when you lose a game, nothing positive comes away from it. But in our sense, we have lost and the initial rush of adrenaline still hadn't hit is exactly when we stepped into the changing room. Everyone looked at each other and as soon as that first champagne bottle popped, everyone realized we're going to guitar.

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