Former Reggae Boy Thompson targets World Cup with USA

Former national goalkeeper Ryan Thompson is anticipating being a part of the staff to oversee the United States of America's (USA) participation in the World Cup in three years after working with them in what he calls a rewarding and career-changing experience in their recent Gold Cup campaign.

Thompson was the goalkeeper coach for the USA in the Gold Cup, in a run to the semi-finals, where Panama beat them on penalties.

The result may not have been what they had hoped, but Thompson said that given that level of trust to be part of the staff led by interim head coach BJ Callahan, he hopes it catches the eyes of Gregg Berhalter, who returns as head coach.

"This experience I had in the Gold Cup was unbelievable. I had a blast working with the goalkeepers, and they had a blast. I would love to be a part of it again. If I do get a phone call, I am doing it," Thompson told STAR Sports.

His work was not only endorsed by the USA; but by his fellow countrymen and ex-teammates, after their opener against the USA, despite the weirdness involved in facing the country of his birth.

"They gave me the biggest hug, and they said, 'Ryan you have no idea how much I am proud of you'," Thompson said.

From Adrian Mariappa, who was on the field with him for that 2015 Gold Cup final, to Andre Blake, the current goalkeeper, they were proud of his rise through the coaching ranks, from being the head coach of USL outfit Austin Bold to his current job as goalkeeping coach of Major League Soccer outfit the Houston Dynamo.

"They were so proud of me and said, 'you don't see anything like this happening. For you of anybody to be there, you couldn't have scripted it any better. Years you have been working, years you have doing great stuff'," Thompson said.

Thompson said that he doesn't take for granted what it meant to be on the coaching staff, and he hopes that the journey doesn't end at the Gold Cup but for the World Cup in 2026.

"I've always dreamt of being at a World Cup and working at the highest level, impacting lives and being an example that we can work with high intensity, but we also could have fun. If Greg calls, I would love to take that opportunity to bring some joy and add to their environment," Thompson said.