*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).
The congressman responded to the school shooting in Parkland, Fla., expressing frustration that Democrats have introduced bills that could prevent mass shootings, but Republicans don't support them.
Karen Crouse, the New York Times sports reporter who broke the story about figure skater Adam Rippon's eating disorder, discusses the future of sports in a space where lean, light figures are encouraged.
What did John Kelly know and when did he know it? Plus, the Olympic gold medal-winning snowboarder sparking controversy. A preview of the Daytona 500, and Happy Valentine's Day! With FanSided, The Root, Moët & Chandon, and Zimbio.
Police in Florida respond to a deadly high school shooting in Parkland. Congressman Joe Kennedy talks about bringing the Democratic message to millennial voters, and President Trump's Infrastructure plan.
Darrell "Bubba" Wallace Jr. says his two favorite platforms are Twitter and Instagram. Ahead of this weekend's 60th running of Daytona 500, he shares what he does the morning of a race.
Models Georgia Gibbs and Chase Carter talk about what it's like to be swimsuit models and inspire a new generation. The magazine's annual swimsuit issue features women with an "In Her Own Words" message.
Cheddar's Patrick Jones interviews NASCAR driver Darrell 'Bubba' Wallace Jr. live from the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona, Florida. The 60th running of the Daytona 500 is on Sunday.
Team USA is dominating the snowboarding field, winning gold at the first four events. Shaun White is the latest, but his big win is stirring up controversy.
NASCAR is set to rev its engines for the 60th running of the Daytona 500. Driver Aric Almirola joins Cheddar from the Daytona International Speedway to reveal how he prepares for the big race.
The racecar driver joined Cheddar ahead of this weekend's Daytona 500. He says he invests so he can preserve the winnings he's been lucky enough to earn, because he doesn't want to up like some lottery winners and professional athletes who go broke.
