Holland use Charles Barkley as a source of unlikely motivation ahead of USA last-16 clash
>
The Netherlands use Charles Barkley as an unlikely source of motivation ahead of the USA’s Round of 16 clash, as the team’s official Twitter account shares a viral clip of the NBA legend ‘guaranteeing’ that the Dutch are ‘in trouble’ ahead of World Cup showdown
The Netherlands’ motivation to beat the USA in their World Cup Round of 16 matchup today comes from an unlikely source: NBA legend Charles Barkley.
The USA and the Netherlands meet for a spot in the tournament’s quarterfinals, and both teams have successfully advanced from the group stage in Qatar.
And after the United States booked their place in the latter stages of the competition, Barkley was quick to start the verbal jousting, insisting that “we opened a whooping can because I guarantee the Netherlands are in trouble.”
The Netherlands’ Twitter account posted a clip previewing the game against the USA on Saturday.
They simulated a US dollar bill with the face of their manager Louis van Gaal.
Charles Barkley created a storm earlier in the week by insisting that the US would beat the Netherlands
That message went viral on Twitter and quickly traveled to Europe, where the Dutch team’s fast-paced social media team has now used it to their advantage.
Posting a video to cheer on fans on Saturday, they cut out Barkley’s words, along with the message: ‘In Louis we trust. We trust this team.’
In the video, they also tampered with a US one-dollar bill to put on the face of their own manager, with Van Gaal standing in for George Washington.
The Dutch are favorites to beat the United States in a do-or-die last-16 clash, but Gregg Berhalter’s side impressed during the group stage, beating Iran in their last game after credible draws against Wales and England. .
Team USA, including former Newcastle player DeAndre Yedlin (C), celebrate after beating Iran
Team USA has performed admirably so far, but they will face the Netherlands again later today.
That has rocketed the USMNT into the spotlight across the country, with more and more fans starting to tune in to watch the World Cup.
Barkley, of course, is one of those now following the team’s progress, and in his comments on Inside the NBA on TNT, He added: ‘Hey Tyler, my man No. 12. Let’s go all out.
‘I want Spain. I want Brazil. I want Germany. I want France. oh they got that boy [Kylian] Mbappé there in France. It’s not a joke, but we’re going to beat the Netherlands.