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USMNT anthem ‘Take Me Home' has ties to Fort Worth
By Deborah Ferguson at NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS)
· June 25, 2026
· 4 min read
When the U.S. Men’s National Team hits the pitch in Los Angeles, fans will bust out in “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”
U.S. Soccer officials picked John Denver’s 1971 country folk song as the post-match sing-along.
Before he changed his name to Denver and became famous, the man who sang a...
Key takeaway Soccer officials picked John Denver’s 1971 country folk song as the post-match sing-along.
Why this matters in The Trophy Club
The adoption of "Take Me Home, Country Roads" as the U.S. Men's National Team's post-match sing-along has brought attention to Fort Worth's role in John Denver's early life. As the son of a U.S. Air Force officer stationed in the city, Denver spent his high school years in Fort Worth, graduating from Arlington Heights High School in 1961. The city's music scene, which has a long history of nurturing talent, likely influenced Denver's development as a songwriter. Tom Martens, Vice President of Creative Film and Music for Visit Fort Worth, notes that Denver's time in Fort Worth may have even inspired him to write the iconic song. The connection to Denver serves as a point of pride for the city, highlighting its contribution to the American music landscape. As the song gains popularity among U.S. Soccer fans, it may also draw more attention to Fort Worth's vibrant music scene and its legacy of producing talented artists.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) . The Trophy Club surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? When the U.S. Men’s National Team hits the pitch in Los Angeles, fans will bust out in “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”
U.S. Soccer officials picked John Denver’s 1971 country folk song as the post-match sing-along.
Before he changed his name to Denver and became famous, the man who sang a...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) and curated for The Trophy Club readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Deborah Ferguson at NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS). To learn more about how The Trophy Club selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Trophy Club, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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