Record-breaking Premier League goalkeeper explains why U.S. fans can’t compare to European rivals

For the first time since 1994, the biggest tournament in football – sorry, soccer — is heading stateside.

A bumper 48-team tournament will hit the USA, Mexico and Canada.

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Former Premier League goalkeeer Brad Friedel, who earned 82 caps for the Stars and Stripes, is expecting a culture clash.

Friedel played 450 times in the Premier League with stints ay Liverpool, Blackburn, Aston Villa and Tottenham.

That is a record for an American and the keeper, who also experienced the intensity of Turkish football with Graeme Souness at Galatasaray, is well placed to speak on global fandom.

“American fans. in all sports, they’re different. They’re very quiet, and then they expect to be entertained,” he told talkSPORT’S How To Win The World Cup podcast. “Whereas the fans in South America, Central America, Mexico, and Europe all go there to support their team and be a catalyst to help the team get a result.

“And they feel part of the club and part of the fabric and part of everything. Americans, you go to get the cannon T-shirt that’s launched up into the stands. That is cool. If the halftime show isn’t good, you’re upset.

“It’s a different thing. You’ll have a small percentage of real die-hard fans. That’s every sport. That’s NFL. That’s Major League Baseball. That’s everything.

“And Americans will go in there, and they’ll cross their hands. They’ll fold their arms, and they’ll be like, I’m not being entertained. I think I should have my money back.”

As Friedel touched upon in his chat with hosts Matt Forde and Lloyd Griffith, players and fans will get a very different experience depending on which country they end up playing in.

After recalling being targeted by a bag filled with faeces while playing for Blackburn against Burnley, and a lawn dart in Turkey, the retired shot stopper reflected on where the support was most feverish.

“Mexican and Costa Rican fans are good. They’re intimidating. Costa Rican fans are intimidating,” he said.

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“They’re violent and they’re intimidating and they support the team and they throw a lot of things at you, bags of urine, spit on you. They make it really, really difficult to deal with the elements.

“And they take you to a stadium called Saprissa and as a goalkeeper there’s not much space behind the goal. They have like chicken wire fence and they like throw stuff again, you know, splatters on you.”

Brad Friedel picks USA’s biggest X-factor

Friedel was a key member of the U.S. squad that reached the World Cup quarter-finals in 2002.

He was dubbed ‘The Human Wall’ by fans during that run, which ended with a 1-0 defeat to Germany.

The 54-year-old also picked out who he believes is his country’s most dangerous player in January.

“My favorite player with the US, and it has been since I was the under-19 national team coach, is Weston McKennie,” Friedel revealed.

“He didn’t have his best time at Leeds — I think it’s well-documented why — but as far as talent, this kid is amazing. He has it all.

“If he is focused and prepared and fit, he’s excellent. I really like him and Tyler Adams playing together in the middle of midfield. Chris Richards has also really improved over the last year and when I say improved, he’s become a leader.

“He’s become a really good player with Crystal Palace. I think we have one of the best left-backs in the entire tournament, Antonee Robinson. I think he’s outstanding. We do have a really competitive team.”