Jesse Marsch has revealed what he told Tyler Adams before jetting off to the World Cup in Qatar and it's fair to say the Leeds United midfielder heeded that warning. The Whites head coach stressed the need for a strong mentality heading into the tournament, with one mistake potentially defining a player's career or life.
For Adams, he was one of the standout performers for the USA at the competition. His stock at Leeds United is certainly higher after a stellar tournament and an impressive start to life at Elland Road.
The Whites midfielder was left disappointed after his side were knocked out of the tournament by the Netherlands but is now back in Yorkshire with eyes firmly set on the return of Premier League action.
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Speaking to The Athletic, Marsch said: "Nobody playing or coaching in a game like the final truly enjoys it in real time. Afterwards, you have the time you need to reflect and soak it in, but in the moment, it’s hard for the stress of it to be enjoyable.
"It’s really not enjoyable at all. As a manager in particular, there are times when you can’t affect a game enough. Players have the advantage of playing rather than thinking, of being in a position to influence what’s happening minute by minute, but they still have to handle those big sways of emotion.
"At a World Cup, one mistake matters and one moment can define a footballer’s career or life. You need a mentality that lets a team go after a game in a real way, without fear.
"I spoke to Tyler Adams before he left Leeds for Qatar, knowing he was going to be captain of the USA, and I told him to make sure that on the inside, things were really close, everyone took care of each other and there was no room for selfishness. That’s how it has to be if you’re going to do anything."
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