“A young Zlatan was more annoying than crazy.” 😂 At Ajax, Zlatan Ibrahimović played with an American player. That’s John O’Brien, a former USMNT player. What was it like to play with a young Zlatan? That’s what O’Brien was asked on CBS Sports. 🗣️ “A young Zlatan was more annoying than crazy,” O’Brien answered. “He was a hothead. He had ego. He'd pick fights. There was all that. “So it's really great to see how Zlatan matured over the years and really kind of stepped into a person with a lot of integrity. “But he was a challenge in the locker room. “Also fun, great sense of humor. But yeah, there were some great players I got to play with over the years.” O’Brien is from California, and got signed by Ajax as a 17-year-old. He went on to play 83 games for them. For the USMNT, he earned 32 caps and played in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups. He also played in the 2000 Olympics, where the U.S. finished fourth.

“When the national anthem was playing, there were goose bumps and chills down my body.” 🇺🇸 When Cavan Sullivan made his USMNT debut against Peru, he had his grandfather on his mind. Larry Sullivan is a Vietnam war veteran who received a Purple Heart. For Cavan and his brother Quinn Sullivan, playing for the U.S. feels like their way of serving the country. “When the national anthem was playing, there were goose bumps and chills down my body,” Cavan said. “I couldn’t stop smiling because I know how proud he is watching. “Usually, I see him in the crowd. He gives a little salute when the national anthem’s done, so it was incredible. “He made sure to support me and watch every minute of the games, no matter the time back home.” Larry Sullivan is now 78 years old and watched the game against Mexico at home, where his grandson scored to become the youngest ever USMNT goal scorer in history. The army veteran played soccer in high school and college. He was also a longtime coach at Vilanova University and is a huge influential figure in Philly soccer scene. [via The Philadelphia Inquirer]