Former Middlesbrough player in the US hopes World Cup helps sport grow
The World Cup kicks off tomorrow night across the United States, Canada and Mexico
A former Middlesbrough FC player, who's now living in America, is hoping the World Cup helps the sport grow in the country.
Seb Hines, who spent most of his career in Boro, is now the head coach of Orlando Pride women's team.
He says football, or soccer as they call it over there, isn't the biggest in the US but more exposure from big events like these will help.
Seb said: "It's really exciting. I think it will create a lot of excitement around the country. We're really excited to have it here in America and hopefully England can go all the way.
"There's a real buzz, there's a real excitement, the best players in the world coming to the US, performing at the highest level.
"When it comes to the whole event, it's not just the game itself. It's about the pre-game, it's about the halftime show, it's about the post-game. It's the entertainment factor that comes along with it. You know, a lot of our games over here, it starts off with fireworks.
"I think what the US do probably better than anyone else is make it a whole event and not just solely on the game. The game itself is always entertaining. It's back and forth, dealing with different challenges, which a lot of the European teams will have to get used to. Obviously, the heat in Florida is going to be a challenge.
"Our nearest game here for myself is Miami. I say it's close, it's three hours down the road here in Florida. And then obviously Atlanta and there's some really good venues here. There's some massive stadiums, 70,000, 80,000, which will be a really hostile environment, different cultures coming along and bringing different atmospheres.
"There's a constant atmosphere over here. It's not just relative to what's going on the pitch. It's always noise and the fans getting together and creating that loud atmosphere around the stadium, so we're really excited to have it here. Just fingers crossed the weather holds up as well.
"I want the US to do well, of course. I think the better the US do, the more growth they'll be in this country around football. But my heart is with England. We're hoping as a family that they can get across the line because as a nation we just want to be lifting that trophy at the end of the tournament."
The World Cup kicks off tomorrow night across the United States, Canada and Mexico.