*By Max Godnick*
Any professional athlete faces the pressure to win, but the stakes are higher in the World Cup, where soccer players carry the added burden of an entire nation's expectations. Some crack. The winners rise.
"If you're for yourself, you're not going to play as hard or as well," said Jon Gordon, the author of "The Power of Positive and Leadership" and a team-building adviser to athletes and executives. "If you're playing for your team or your country, you're going to play a lot better."
Gordon has worked with teams (the Los Angeles Dodgers) and companies (Google) on the foundations of successful team building. He advised the 32 national soccer teams hoping to hoist the 2018 World Cup trophy in Russia next month to use the stress of playing for national pride to help them perform better.
"They have to have a shared vision and a greater purpose," he said, encouraging athletes to ask themselves, "Are we playing for ourselves or for our country?"
The same principles apply to all sports, regardless of what type of ball is being kicked, thrown, or shot. But certain disciplines do require more tailored advice. Because of the number of players and its fast-moving style, Gordon said that soccer, like basketball, requires greater trust between players.
"You have to trust that that player is going to get you the ball," he said. "You have to trust that they're going to be where they need to be on defense."
For the full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/world-cup-winning-secrets-from-a-team-building-expert).
Olympians Jessie Diggins and Kikkan Randall made history at this year's winter games. The duo accomplished what no American woman had done before, capturing a medal in cross-country skiing. The pair share their experience in achieving gold in the team sprint free final.
Between Bells: Ryan Seacrest Red Carpet controversy, NCAA scandal, and why is it so hot at the North Pole? With Salon, LiveScience, Pizza Hut, and Madame Noire.
New York Yankees great Bernie Williams somehow had time to become a Latin Grammy-nominated jazz musician during his 16-year run with the Bronx Bombers. The four-time World Series champion joins Cheddar to discuss his upcoming gig at New York's legendary Café Carlyle.
The four-time World Series champ and current jazz player says that the preparation process for both disciplines is very similar. But Bernie Williams told Cheddar that each career has its own challenges.
March Madness is going to be a little bit crazier than normal this year. A major scandal is rocking college basketball, just before the big tournament.
Dick's Sporting Goods announces it will no longer sell assault-style weapons in its stores. Amazon is buying video doorbell company Ring in a deal worth $1 billion. And is it time for "The Fresh Princess of Bel Air?"
This Changes Things: Advice for the executives and leaders of tomorrow, brought to you by American Express OPEN. On Between Bells: DACA, flying cars, and the Ryan Seacrest scandal. With Motor Trend, YourTango, and Reason Magazine.
Georgia's Lieutenant Governor is calling on Delta to reinstate its relationship with the NRA. The Dow closes down 300 points. Amazon is buying smart doorbell maker Ring. Former NBA star Al Harrington is looking to become the next marijuana mogul. Cronos Group started trading on the Nasdaq Tuesday. The vertically integrated company became the first marijuana company to join a major exchange in the United States.
Three-time Olympic medalist Elana Meyers Taylor was with Cheddar to discuss her journey to becoming the most decorated female U.S. bobsledder in history. Meyers Taylor showed off her shiny new silver medal that she just won at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.
The former basketball player says his grandmother, who was suffering from glaucoma and diabetes, inspired him to get into this industry. Now, he's working on his own line of products with Harrington Wellness.
