Mic'd Up: The ESPN analyst talked all things Club World Cup, and backed American fans to show up for FIFA's event this summer
Kay Murray has been in the United States long enough to get a read on American fans. The Middlesbrough, England native spent her early years working in British and European television, embedding herself in the supporter culture across the pond.
What never fails to surprise her, though, is just how much American fans have shown they love the game.
"I've been to a Clasico friendly here in the United States and it was fabulous," she tells GOAL. "It was absolutely packed. And I have found that whenever I've gone to preseason games that I think there's not going to be too many people, the fans come out in force all the time."
And she has a point. Preseason games in the States are always well attended – especially when big clubs are involved. It's something that FIFA will undoubtedly be counting on this summer, when the Club World Cup comes to the U.S.
The expanded, 32-team tournament – which includes MLS sides Inter Miami and Seattle Sounders, with LAFC also a potential participant – will bring a month of global soccer to America, with some of the best teams in the world vying for a trophy, as well as a generous pot of cash.
Murray is certain that when the games start, teams will want to win. She says the money – a total pot of $1B, with up to $125M for the winning team – will be a real motivator.
"I think we often ask these questions, and when it comes to it, we always find out that they do actually care," she said about whether clubs will be incentivized to win. "In this day and age, everybody wants whatever they can call silverware. What might be deemed less important silverware to the outsider is pretty much always important to those inside the club."
The ESPN analyst talked all things Club World Cup in Mic'd Up, a recurring feature in which GOAL US taps into the perspective of broadcasters, analysts, and other pundits on the state of soccer in the U.S. and abroad.
J.LEAGUEON AMERICAN FANS AND THE CLUB WORLD CUP
GOAL: The Club World Cup is coming to the United States this summer. Are people going to care?
MURRAY: I think they always do. It's so funny because it feels like there are so many more tournaments. But let me tell you, I've been to a Clasico friendly here in the United States and it was fabulous. It was absolutely packed. And I have found that whenever I've gone to preseason games that I think there's not going to be too many people, the fans come out in force all the time. So yeah, they probably will come out for the Club World Cup. They surprise me every time, but American soccer fans are amazing and love the game.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportON EUROPEAN CLUBS PLAYING TO WIN
GOAL: Do you think the clubs will care, though? Obviously, there's a lot of money on offer.
MURRAY: I think the clubs will care. I think we often ask these questions, and when it comes to it, we always find out that they do actually care. In this day and age, everybody wants whatever they can call silverware. What might be deemed less important silverware to the outsider is pretty much always important to those inside the club, because it's another trophy, especially if it's not being the best season for them, they're always going to be able to go, "Oh, we won that" or "Oh, we got that."
Getty Images SportON MLS TEAMS IN THE CLUB WORLD CUP
GOAL: What would it mean for MLS if they have an unlikely run, or beat a big team? Will that be important for soccer in the States?
MURRAY: I think it will be, and I hope they definitely see it that way. With MLS, it's a strange situation with soccer in the States and MLS. I think obviously [Lionel] Messi, being in Miami is a great thing. But you want it to keep growing. But you think like "Growing in what way?" How many more teams can you actually be bringing in? I've got great friends who cover that league as well.
My own opinion is that it's kind of harder to get on board with, with the way the league is set up because of what I'm used to. And I'm not going to go down the pro-rel route, but, and I've been told a million times that I've had this talk – and I've had to host and moderate debates on this very topic across different networks, yeah – but my opinion will always be that [pro-rel is] the best way forward.
PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF MIC'D UP
May 9 – Luis Garcia: ESPN Analyst on Barcelona and 'fantastic' Lamine Yamal, why Real Madrid lack a philosophy, and Trent Alexander-Arnold leaving Liverpool
May 1 – Derek Rae: ESPN analyst on Harry Kane's trophy quest, Gio Reyna's Borussia Dortmund struggles, the meaning behind 'the smell of the stable'
April 28 – Christina Unkel: CBS Sports rules analyst on VAR challenges, 'visibility' in refereeing, former players becoming officials
April 25 – Alejandro Moreno: ESPN FC pundit on Kylian Mbappe's Real Madrid disappointment, Carlo Ancelotti's final season, 'best in the world' Lamine Yamal
April 24 – Bradley Wright-Phillips: Apple TV analyst on the 'brilliance' of Lionel Messi, 'chippy' Inter Miami, and why Kevin De Bruyne's next team should be NYCFC
April 22 – Ali Krieger: ESPN analyst on Naomi Girma's Chelsea move, the 'amazing' Emma Hayes and why NWSL 'can't just dilute the league by expanding'
April 16 – Jamie Carragher: CBS analyst on Club World Cup and packed schedule, 'disappointing' Trent Alexander-Arnold, 'delightful' Mo Salah deal
April 14 – Kevin Egan, part II: Apple TV+ host on the 2026 World Cup, 2025 Club World Cup and growth of game in America
April 11 – Kay Murray: ESPN FC host on Harry Kane and Bayern Munich's Bundesliga ambitions, 'undeniable talent' of Gio Reyna, and Ballon d'Or race without 'a standout contender'
April 8 – Kevin Egan: Apple TV analyst on possible Kevin De Bruyne link with Lionel Messi and MLS, Cavan Sullivan's 'swagger' and 'next-level' Wilfried Nancy
March 26 – Kasey Keller: 'Guys that would rather be on the beach' – ESPN's Kasey Keller knocks 'general malaise' of USMNT players, says Mauricio Pochettino must show 'he's 100 percent committed'
March 21 – Kaylyn Kyle: Apple TV studio analyst on Lionel Messi and Inter Miami, the 'chaotic' nature of MLS, why NWSL player exodus could 'hurt the league
March 13 – Micah Richards: CBS Sports analyst on Man City's future, why Real Madrid will win Champions League, and that bet with Jude Bellingham
March 11 – Antonella Gonzalez: Apple TV’s Antonella Gonzalez on interviewing Inter Miami's Lionel Messi, the rise of Latin American influence in MLS, and being a Hispanic woman in broadcasting
March 4 – Nico Cantor: CBS Analyst on 'world-class' Mauricio Pochettino, 'mixed' Champions League format, and why USL can compete with MLS
Feb 26 – Andrew Wiebe: Apple TV analyst Andrew Wiebe on San Jose Earthquakes' 'massive offseason', Kevin De Bruyne's potential MLS arrival, league’s growth
Feb. 20 – Taylor Twellman: Apple TV's analyst on Lionel Messi's Inter Miami 'laying an egg' in MLS playoffs, Cavan Sullivan, and why Cincinnati are a threat
Feb. 18 – Taylor Twellman: Apple TV analyst on USMNT World Cup aspirations, Mauricio Pochettino, and team's signature wins – or lack thereof
Feb. 11 – Maurice Edu: Apple TV analyst on national team's potential, Cavan Sullivan's 'borderline arrogance' and 'global shop window' of MLS
Jan. 30 – Keith Costigan: Apple TV commentator on Mo Salah and Liverpool, the Olivier Giroud experiment at LAFC and more
Jan 28 – Nigel Reo-Coker: CBS Sports Golazo Network analyst on the new Champions League format, state of American soccer and Aston Villa
Jan 20 – Kate Scott: CBS Sports host on the American soccer psyche, USMNT's 'statement' hire in Mauricio Pochettino, 'enormous' 2026 World Cup and why Liverpool will win Champions League
Jan 13 – DaMarcus Beasley: USMNT legend on Lionel Messi's mindset, the 'good groove' for MLS and why Mauricio Pochettino is the 'right man for the job'
Jan. 9 – Callum Williams: Soccer analyst on Lionel Messi and 2025 Club World Cup, 'naivety towards' South American soccer, 'preposterous' that Jack Grealish has 'lost it'
Jan. 2 – Jenny Chiu: CBS reporter on 'big changes' by Emma Hayes, Mauricio Pochettino's 'pedigree' and possible UCL glory for Inter
Dec. 17 – Stu Holden: FOX Sports analyst on the evolution of the American game, why Christian Pulisic will be 'best U.S. Soccer player of all-time'
Dec. 12 – Brian Dunseth: Turner, Apple TV analyst on Ricardo Pepi, Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna and USMNT's future under Mauricio Pochettino
Dec. 5 – Jalil Anibaba: Apple TV analyst on MLS Cup predictions, Inter Miami hiring Javier Mascherano and MLS's 'disheartening' coaching diversity issue
Nov. 21 – Andres Cantor: Telemundo legend on Mauricio Pochettino's Argentine mindset, the USMNT and having a front-row seat for the rise of the American game
Nov. 16 – Matt Doyle: Apple TV analyst assesses Inter Miami's defensive 'insanity,' whether Neymar could join Lionel Messi, MLS Cup favorite
Nov. 7 – Gary Neville: Veteran analyst talks USMNT World Cup hopes, 'hell of a player' Christian Pulisic, 'relentless' David Beckham, and Cristiano Ronaldo to MLS
Oct. 31 – Herculez Gomez: ESPN FC analyst on Mauricio Pochettino's impact, the USMNT's 'wide-open' striker race, and a player pool 'that lacks accountability'
Oct. 29 – Rebecca Lowe: NBC host on the growth of soccer, the 'incredible' Emma Hayes and 'profile-raising' Mauricio Pochettino
Oct. 24 – Andrew Wiebe: Apple TV analyst on MLS playoffs, Lionel Messi's 'nuclear form' and how Inter Miami can become league's 'greatest team of all time
Oct. 17 – Jamie Carragher: Veteran analyst talks USMNT, slams Man City over legal case, questions Mauricio Pochettino despite 'great' hire