*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).
Magic Johnson just closed a new deal with CBD company Uncle Bud's. The NBA legend talks benefits of CBD and joining the team at Uncle Bud's.
Chief Business Officer Ezra Kucharz talked with Cheddar about the opportunities that DraftKings' status as official betting operator with the PGA Tour affords both golf fans and the gambling and fantasy sports company itself.
Two major league games scheduled for Monday night have been postponed as the Miami Marlins deal with a coronavirus outbreak that stranded them in Philadelphia.
The Seattle Kraken becomes the NHL's newest hockey team. Co-Owner, Jay Deutsch, talks deciding on the team name and what it means to become part of such a large organization in the NHL.
Following successes like 'The Last Dance' & 'Tom vs Time,' Religion of Sports has raised $10 million as the company looks to expand its presence in sports media. CEO, Ameeth Sankran, talks making a lasting imprint by telling important sports focused stories.
The NHL’s newest team finally has its name: the Seattle Kraken. The expansion franchise unveiled its nickname Thursday, ending 19 months of speculation.
Mayor Muriel Bowser weighs in on the Washington Redskins name change after the organization faced opposition from sponsors and advertisers.
The Washington Redskins will change their team nickname following mounting pressure from sponsors and advertisers. CEO of the Aspire Group, Anthony Tall, talks hurdles the team will face both from fans and the financial burden of re-branding changes.
NBA photographer Andy Bernstein talks season return and plans to document players' reaction to calls for social and racial change amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Oura CEO, Harpreet Singh, talks development of a wearable ring that detects symptoms of COVID-19 and partnership with the NBA as the league heads to Orlando to restart game play.
