US star admits he 'blacked out' days before America's World Cup opener

US star Tyler Adams admitted he "blacked out" just days before America's World Cup opener.

The States are set to kick off their World Cup campaign against Paraguay at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, with Adams expected to start in the middle of the park for Mauricio Pochettino's side.

Members of the American national team gathered to watch the New York Knicks' victory over the San Antonio Spurs, with Adams saying he "blacked out" in the celebrations.

The midfielder said: "It's pretty captivating. I think them kind of being the underdog coming out of the east and doing something special as they're doing right now.

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"I take inspiration, but I'm a New York Knicks fan, not everyone's New York Knicks fans!"

Pochettino has called on American fans to channel the passion shown at the NBA Finals, which sees the Knicks chase their first Championship in 50 years.

Fans flooded the streets of Manhattan after the Knicks progressed to within one win of a first title since 1973.

Several of Pochettino's players went ballistic, celebrating after New York's incredible comeback victory.

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Speaking about how his players can use some of the tempo from the NBA, the Argentine said: "I think it's contagious and we need to play with passion, we need to win games -that's very important… [we need] to make the fans feel proud about what they are seeing on the field.

"To create that emotional relationship and then you will do the rest - try to encourage the people to celebrate - but we need to win. The important thing is to win.

"[If] we want to win, we need the support of our fans, and I know after Charlotte and Chicago [where the US played World Cup warm-up games] that the fans are with the team."

The former Tottenham boss reiterated that the US needs to win the World Cup for him to view this summer as a success.

Speaking in LA on Thursday, he said: "For me, success is [to] win the World Cup… if we don't arrive at the final and we don't win the World Cup, to talk about success is [wrong]. For me, in my mindset.

"Then if you say to me: 'Oh, the conditions' or 'we play against good teams, good national teams,' okay.

"But when we signed here it is because we wanted to come here and to be involved in the unique event.

"But with the possibility to compete well and believing in winning."

The former Southampton boss admitted he has already chosen his starting lineup for the contest, confirming Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards is available after injury.

When asked who will start in goal between Matt Freese and Matt Turner, Pochettino said: "I don't know if they know.

"Because if I tell [you] if they know, you will start to call [them to find out]."

Following Paraguay, America will face Australia and Turkey in their other games of Group D.

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