"I'm so honored to be playing tomorrow," he says. "But I'm not going to lie to you. I'm not in the best shape. I'm not in soccer shape right now."
And so begins Will Ferrell's "pump up" speech to a crowd of rowdy Americans the night before the final U.S. match of the group stage. What's "Frank The Tank" from Old School doing speaking on behalf of U.S. Soccer, you ask? Why wouldn't he. After all, in movies such as Old School, Ferrell has demonstrated an ability to motivate crowds to such extreme action as a naked run through the quad to the gymnasium.
OK...well, maybe not. But still, it's pretty awesome to see Ferrell get involved with international soccer and show his support for the USMNT. It would seem Ferrell is a soccer fan, although the reported Lakers fan couldn't help squeeze in a dig at a USA fan in the crowd wearing a Miami Heat jersey. "I see one kid with a Miami Heat jersey," he says sardonically at one point. "It's going to be a great memory for you one day."
Here at The18, we're not sure how deep Ferrell's love for soccer runs, but we love his enthusiasm (prime example, Ferrell's statement that, "If the game gets close, I will bite"). Celebrity appearances like this one at the World Cup will only elevate the status of the game in the United States and, hey, that's a very good thing.
And if you happen to be looking for Ferrell in the crowd during next week's match against Belgium, here's his advice. "Look for the guy sitting next to teddy Roosevelt wearing a red, while and blue bikini top." Well played, sir. Here's the video of the whole affair:
