All right, the World Cup is here, and something that nobody likes to admit, a lot of these games aren't decided by playing soccer. They're decided by penalty kicks. The fate of an entire nation riding on one 12-yard kick and a guy standing in goal. >> LET'S GO, BABY. LET'S GO. >> IT ALWAYS LOOKED TO ME LIKE THAT GUY IS just guessing. Folks, I wanted to find out if there's more to it. One small problem, and I have never played goalie in my life.

So, I decided the only logical thing is to throw myself in the net against a bunch of 12-year-olds to see just how bad I really am. >> Jesus Christ. >> And uh it was bad. So, to learn more, I called the greatest goalkeeper in American history, Tim Howard, and a legendary college coach to rebuild me from scratch in a single day. The pros say if you save two penalties out of five, you win the shootout. Honestly, I just want to save one.

Cuz at the end of all of this, I have to face 16-year-old Philadelphia Union phenom, Cavan [music] Sullivan, in a head-to-head PK shootout. Can a washed-up lineman actually learn to stop a penalty kick in one day? Or am I about to get embarrassed all over again? Let's find out. >> Amazing. >> It was [music] all coaching, Jason. That was it. That was it. >> Thank you to The Home Depot, official FIFA World Cup 2026 supporter.

All right, what's up, guys? We are here in Philadelphia. Before I've had any training, we're going to see if I can stop a kick from one of these kids. These kids are all from Extra Time out here in Conshohocken. U12. None of them are in high school yet, I don't think. I'm going left. I'M GOING LEFT ON SHOULD BE PRETTY EASY, RIGHT? What's up, guys? >> What's up? >> How y'all doing? >> Good. >> How old is everybody? >> Oh, 12. >> 12?

Well, do you guys think you can score on me? >> Yes. >> Pretty easily? All right, we'll see. We'll see. I'm going to get my kicked. >> Yes. >> I'm not going to lie. I I have minimal confidence. If I stop one, I will be happy. I have no idea what I'm doing. I played growing up, never played goalie. I was always a striker, wing, or something like that. Midfielder, I have never been between those posts. Oh god, that thing came in so fast.

Oh, I wasn't ready. Oh man, I'm going to have to get out my shoes. All right, so the rules are I got to stay on the end line. I can't leave the end line until the ball's kicked. Is that the rule? >> Yes. >> And you guys have to keep moving forward, right? >> Yeah. >> Those are the two main rules? Are you kick- You're kicking straight on? What are you doing here? Are you psyching me out? He's looking at me. All right.

ALL RIGHT. OH [screaming] GOSH, I SHOULD HAVE DOVE. I WAS HALF IN IT. ALL RIGHT, MARCUS, YOU GOING THIS WAY? OH, I GOT A FINGER ON IT. YOU'RE STARTING TO KILL ME. >> [laughter] >> RIGHT IN THE NO CHANCE. THAT WAS A ROCKET. Jesus Christ. So, you're looking over there at me? You're going over here? Got me. Oh, and I'm saying you know I'm going left. I'M GOING LEFT ON. I ALMOST JUST DISLOCATED MY SHOULDER. STARTED IT OFF GOOD. >> Do you guys think that Jason stands any chance against Kevin in five rounds? >> Jason Kelce has no chance against Kevin Sullivan. >> Good luck. >> Yeah. >> That's very nice.

Thank you. >> We just finished my first attempt in net. Kids were outstanding. One of the things that became apparent is how much of like a head game and mind games you're playing there with the kids. Part of me didn't want to dive because I don't know how to dive yet. Yeah, I definitely landed on my elbow going over there and felt something kind of move that shouldn't be moving. Yeah, that's the takeaway today. Also, to I mean, I had the best kick of the day, guys.

All right, you guys ready? >> Yeah. >> You ready, Alan? >> Yeah. >> Right foot, RIGHT FOOT. >> [screaming and groaning] [screaming] [laughter] >> THAT FREE KICK WAS. ALL RIGHTY, JUST GOT MY KICKED BY A BUNCH OF KIDS, which was a lot of fun, but anyways, decided I'm going to build MYSELF A GOAL. >> [laughter] >> OKAY, IT'S POWER TOOLS, SO WE PROBABLY SHOULDN'T PLAY AROUND WITH >> THAT'S RIGHT. We need as much practice as we can.

Also, just a lot of fun to kick a ball into a net. So, we're going to build a net using the Home Depot app. Drill. Get the PVC, nice bucket on there, net, very important. Yeah, that should do it. One thing apparently they're known for is fast and free delivery. So, yeah, this should get here pretty quick. >> [bell] >> Who is it at the door? Oh. It is fast. And free. This doer is about to get more done. Safety. Measurements, drill.

More safety. More drill. >> [music] [music] >> Jason [music] Kelsey and Logan should have the solar. >> Pretty good. All righty, we're here at St. Joe's University. Coach Tim Mulqueen has been here and he is a legend in soccer coaching and he's right in our backyard. Something to note, one in five matches in the knockout rounds of the World Cup are decided by penalty kicks. It is such an important part of the game that is deciding the fate of all of these countries.

We're here to learn more about penalty kicks. Coach >> kicks are five rounds. >> Yes. >> So, if you can save one, you give yourself a great chance of winning. When you save two, it incrementally, like you're going to win. >> So, 40%. >> 40%. >> the match. >> You're winning the match. >> Pretty much. >> Yep. >> I still remember the 2006 World Cup. Hans Lehmann, I'm hoping I'm pronouncing that name right. Goes to penalty kicks, quarterfinal game, I think.

He goes in his shoe, his sock, and pulls out a note card. And he proceeds to guess right and make a save. Even on the ones he missed, he was still guessing the right direction. >> Since then I've been infatuated with what is actually happening in a goalkeeper's head, what's happening in the shot taker's head. Figured nobody else better to come to than the man himself. That was so bad. >> We got to work on the falling a little bit. >> Yeah, I almost dislocated my shoulder on this.

I hit that elbow on the ground. >> that. I noticed that. We don't want that. Your movement's great. I love the slant, but I got an idea. I think I know a guy who has a pretty good idea on how to save penalty kicks. I can get him if you want. >> I mean, yeah, that's Yeah, I'd love that. >> I FOUND MY GUY. >> NO! >> JASON, WHAT'S HAPPENING? >> YOU SAID you had a guy. >> Tim Howard. >> Most wins, starts ever in United States history. >> Yes. >> Most saves in a game. >> Yes. >> All righty, Tim.

So, coach was just giving me some pointers on PKs. We have some footage here from me getting absolutely torched by some 10-year-olds. >> [laughter] >> Maybe we can show you some of these and you tell me what you're seeing and maybe some pointers that you would give. >> So, before we roll, I'm I'm curious, what was the hardest part for you? >> What was the hardest part? >> Yeah. >> Saving the kicks. >> Bro. >> Big thing that you have to do on penalties, which is different, is you're essentially generating momentum and force from a standstill. >> Okay. >> Not easy to do, but it's exactly the same when you're down in a stance and the ball snaps, right?

So, you have to go from a standstill, the immediate impact of the ball snapping, and then you're you're into an athletic position. So, this is the same thing. You you basically are timing the run-up. You're watching his steps, and then at the at the point he plants his foot and gets his head down and hits the ball, that's when you want to move. >> So, your goal is to jump exactly when he's striking the ball, a little bit before?

Like, what is the best time optimal timing, I guess, from your perspective? >> Right before. >> RIGHT BEFORE. >> [laughter] >> NOW, YOU'RE SO, THE RULE SAYS >> YEAH. >> you have to wait until the ball is kicked. That's an impossibility. >> even jump? >> You can move laterally. You can't advance. >> So, wait. When you're jumping, are you going slightly forward? >> Yeah. >> Ah. >> But, it's but it's immediate. And and listen, there are sometimes where you get caught, and then they retake it.

This shooter wants to put it essentially here. Okay? >> Yes. >> So, if you're cutting the goal in half, see that black mark there? >> Yep. >> Right? >> Yep. >> That's 4 yd. In your head, you're basically saying, I need to cover 4 yd. That's the idea. That's the That's the mentality piece, where I'm saying, "Look, if I decide or if I know he's going left or right, okay, I've got that. I need to figure out a way to explode to get myself across 4 yd." >> So, this is something that's interesting to me.

I could tell just by the way he was walking up that he's going to kick it pretty much down the middle. >> Yep. >> I don't know why. It may be he's like kind of doing all these He's kind of being funky with it, but >> They actually don't have to pick a side. >> No. >> They can go right down the middle. >> Sure. >> Is that a frustrating one for you? >> When [clears throat] you have a penalty shootout at the end of the game, you have five shooters.

There's a likelihood one of the five shooters is going to go up the middle. So, now, if you've been to Vegas, >> Yeah. >> you you got to you got to you got to gamble a little bit. >> Yes. Yes. >> You got to figure it out. It's hard now, because what happens is in the big moment is 80,000 people if you're like I'm going to I'm going to stand in the middle here and he goes there you look like a fool. >> Right. >> If I went like one or two shooters and no one's gone down the middle yet now I've increased my odds right cuz that means there's only three shooters left and one of them is. >> Right. >> It's often times someone who is a a clever player of a clever footballer.

It's not going to be like a a big bruising defender. He's going to come up and he's going to smack it. If they went up the middle I didn't mind. I think you know it's it's it's a guessing game. >> Should we do some field work? Maybe actually >> actually get on the field and do this. >> Let's go. >> Ready and save. >> Perfect. >> The quickest distance between two points is a straight line. Ready? Save. Ah, so much better. >> to be landing this is where you're going to land.

That makes sense. >> I just landed right here and it even this hurt. >> Yeah. Don't raise the ball keep it on the ground because when you do start to fly the ball's going to break your fall. Now we're going to take you in the [music] catcher's position set step and save. >> Set step save. >> We don't want you upright. >> I got this big >> Yeah, you got this. You're an elite athlete. [laughter] Set step save. Set step save.

That's perfect. >> We're kind of training like these kicks are going low. If it goes in the upper corner is that just when we're like hey he's just >> hat. >> Yeah, say thanks. >> [laughter] >> It's reaction. I step and I fly across. >> Mhm. >> If as I react that ball goes high >> It's the second half. >> It's trying to throw that second hand out. They're hitting it so hard right? That literally all you need is that.

If you get that on the ball it's going to hit the crossbar and go over. Set step save. >> That was pretty smooth right there. I didn't even hear a landing really. Jump and try a few. All right. >> Step save. >> Ah, it's money. We even done that before. >> Feel >> a little bit >> Feels good actually. I think that that step is shortening it already. >> Yeah, I think Jason's been night and day from the video I saw him to [music] now.

We've really gone bare bones, rudimentary goalkeeping on how to fall, move it to a kneeling position, staying position. Quite honestly, he's a really good athlete. So, he's picking it up really quick. For him, he's a big guy. So, moving that mass and [music] having him fall in a comfortable way is his biggest challenge. He's really taken to it. I think a lot of the footwork similar to [music] like his footwork that he uses moving on an offensive line. >> Part of a full extension is stepping and going and you're you're you're flying.

You got to worry about catching. You just want to open palm. Got it. So, we can do a couple of >> Catch and then a couple of parries. >> As we set and step, if you watch my footwork, it's a set. He calls out step. >> Step. But, I'm probably going to I'm probably going to take another hop if it feels good. That's sort of a personal thing. >> Set, step, go. >> Yeah. Just try a few. See what feels comfortable. Okay. >> Set.

Step, save. >> Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. >> Set, step, save. >> Yes. Good. >> That's good. That's good. >> Don't mind it. >> lot of fun actually. SET. STEP, SAVE. >> [screaming] >> GET OUT OF HERE, COACH. >> THAT'S AWESOME. >> THAT FEELS A LOT BETTER LAYING ON THE PAD. >> [laughter] >> THAT'S GOOD. >> IT LOOKED GOOD. HOW DID YOU FEEL? >> YEAH, IT LOOKED GOOD. >> UH A LOT better than what I was trying to do before. >> It's going to be this, right?

So, it's going to be step, step. So, it's full it's full extension. >> Full extension. >> Big palm, strong wrist, huh? Hand out like this. And you just palm it. You're just trying to get it right across these back of your knuckles and the palm. And it can be right there. And to be honest, once you fly, it's self-preservation now. Once I make the save, I'm tucking and rolling and whatever whatever feels natural. >> Set, save.

There you go. >> That was very unathletic. Set, save. >> That's it. >> There you go. All right, feeling really good. Obviously, just like any sport, it's all about footwork and that's making a big difference in how well I explode. Feeling a lot of applications from when I played football. Good athletic position, step in, gaining ground and you can cover so much more ground, so much more efficiently when you do these little things.

But, this is with somebody lobbing me a ball when I know it's coming. So, now let's progress to maybe somebody actually kicking it. And how fast is a soccer ball going to be going? >> Yeah, 70 to 70 mph. Yeah. >> [laughter] >> Nervous. Pretty pretty nervous, if I'm not going to lie. He did not hold back ON THAT ONE. WOW. >> YES. >> I'm about to fold my wrist. >> Yeah, let's move the pad. >> Okay. I've not felt what it feels like to not land on foam. >> I like that. >> I feel like this this is uh There you go.

Trying to scare away the bear. Get as big as possible. There you go. What a save. What a save. Oh, that hurts way more than not landing on THE CRASH PAD. >> [laughter] >> YES. YES. YES. [screaming] WE DID IT. WE DID IT. YES. >> [laughter] >> HE WALKS UP, RIGHT? I'M NEVER GETTING SET. This is the psychology. >> Yeah. >> I'm never getting set. So, now what the referee's going to do to me is he's going to start getting tough with me.

He's going to blow his whistle and he's going to tell me to stand here. So, when he tells me to stand there, then I'll stand. It's on my terms, not his. He wants me to be stood here. >> Yeah. >> Waiting. I'm not going to wait for him. This also gives me instinctual reading time. And I'm saying, "Okay, this is here this is where you're starting. Okay, now I got this." My feet have to legally be on the line at the time, right?

But, not before. So, now he's looking at me, right? And he goes get gets ready to shoot. Now I'm Now I'm coming up to the line, head down, and what I'm going to do now, if you watch this leg, right? I'm going right. I'm going to step and then use that footwork. I'm not going to go from here. I'm going to go from there. As opposed to this, >> Yep. >> I think I can get more from picking my foot up, putting it down, and loading. >> Got it. >> He's going to try and put it here. >> He's literally aiming to hit it on the side. >> hit inside here. >> That's such a hard skill for them. >> Well, it's it's been it's been great.

I've seen I've seen a lot of progress. And here's the cool thing about working with athletes. Athletes are meant to take constructive criticism on board and apply it. That's what makes athletes great. And Jason's great. He goes from not knowing anything and sort of trying to figure it out on his own. And myself and coach Mulqueen gave him base level tips on how to dive, where to dive, where to land, right? He was landing on his shoulder.

It hurts. He lands sort of on your side and your rib cage. It's an easier landing, believe it or not. And then footwork. Footwork in goalkeeping is everything. So, once we sorted Jason's footwork out, which he obviously has very good footwork, he can adapt quickly. He got the steps. He got the rhythm. And we call it we step step fly. And he's done it. And he's really really progressed well. I was able to add sort of this real meticulous nuance, which I which is always sort of that that moment right before the penalty shooter strikes the ball.

Because I think there's little tricks to the trade. Sort of vertical movement, sideways movement, just, you know, in and around the line. It's sort of the cheat code. You're not supposed to do it, but it gives you a little advantage. And in this game, that little split second means everything. >> The youngest debutant in Major League team sports, Cavan Sullivan. >> This is Cavan Sullivan. >> My name is Cavan Sullivan.

I'm 16 years old, and I play for the Philadelphia Union. And I'm ready to score some goals. >> A 16-year-old born and raised Philadelphian who's already the youngest player ever to step onto an MLS field and already signed to Manchester City the day he turns 18. >> I learned how to play goalkeeper an hour ago. This should go great. >> Cavan Sullivan, an absolute stud. This kid is a stud. I'm worried for Jason. I'm getting worried be me, actually, now that I think about it.

That's the fun part. This is like a one-on-one challenge. It's can you beat your man? And so there's a psychology to it. I talked Jason through some of the psychology, putting the pressure back onto the shooter. It's just this game of cat and mouse. And then there's going to be five shots. And I think out of five, well, boy, I'd be happy if Jason got one. As a goalkeeper, when you're in a shootout and you're at the World Cup, your job is to get one.

You get one, you might win. Anything can happen. Jason is in a far better place now to save against Gavin than he was before, so we'll see. >> Yep. I'm nervous. Sort of warm up. >> Don't patronize me, Gavin. Oh, you're left-footed? Are you switching it up? Are you lefty? >> I don't know. What am I? >> Get in his head, Jason. Get in his head. >> Official, goalkeeper, you ready? >> Ready. >> Gavin? >> I'm ready. >> YES! >> [screaming] >> HE SAVED IT! >> OH, YOU'RE SO GOOD! >> IT WAS SO CLOSE! >> SO CLOSE! >> YOU WERE THERE.

YOU WERE THERE. [laughter] >> THAT'S AMAZING COACHING. >> I touched it! >> It was all coaching. >> Jason, that was it. That was it. >> That's it. That's it. >> That was probably my best chance. I think you took it easy on that one. >> All right, goalkeeper, ready? >> [sighs] >> I suppose. >> Okay. >> [screaming] >> Good read. >> Good read. He went to the right side. >> he was GOING TO GO LEFT. >> ALL RIGHT, SAME SIDE.

YOU READY? >> OH, now we're playing the head games. All right, I'll just line up over here. >> Goalkeeper, you ready? >> Ready. >> All right. >> [laughter] >> Nearly. I'm being I'm not trusting it. >> We're going to get a goalkeeper a second, psych you out. I'm going to ice him. >> Ready? >> Okay. Middle. Middle man. >> go. That's the one thing. >> One of five. One of five. >> That's a tough one. >> That is a tough one. >> All right, ready now. >> All right, here we go. >> I can't use my right foot. >> He's been hitting it with his off leg this entire time, Mike.

[laughter] >> [laughter] >> I can't use the right. I can't use the right. >> That's dirty. >> I can only do the left. >> Well, that's five. >> That's five? >> I stopped zero of them. So, we just did five PKs. The reason we did five is typically in a overtime in the World Cup, you're going to see each team gets five shots. And the big thing is you want to save two. You learned that earlier from coach. I saved zero, so USA will lose.

What did you think of the technique? >> All right. >> learn anything? >> I saw, you know, within the warm-up. He's a powerful He's a powerful guy. Uh, you know, the burst I saw, you know, you're aggressive keeper. Typically, when you see an aggressive keeper, what I did in the last one was you either stutter or you wait to see where you go. So, that's what I That's what I was thinking on the last one. For the most part, I was just thinking corners low corner is is is what I prefer.

So, on the first one, I went outside of my comfort zone, went high. >> That I think the first one was your your best shot at getting that. You were right there. >> You definitely took some sauce on it though trying to place it there. >> Yeah. >> Right? >> Yeah. >> That's that There was a little sauce. >> percentage were you going? >> That's a That's a normal pen. That's 100%. >> That's 100%? >> were 100% penalties. I would never do the last one in the game, but, you know, I wanted to have some fun with it.

So, I don't know much, but from what I've seen from what I've seen, you know, there were some there were some quality there. So. >> Can you do me one favor? >> What's up? >> Can you put on the penalty and just kick it as hard as you can right at me? >> Yes, sir. >> All right, let's go. >> Tim. >> Is this smart? Yeah, yeah, yeah. >> Just strong wrist. >> So, you are you are a lefty. >> I'm a lefty. >> I thought you were sandbagging the whole time. >> No, no, no.

Just strong wrist. >> THIS KID IS COCKY. I like it. >> No whistle. Strong wrist, Jason. >> Strong wrist. >> Oh my god. >> go. There you go. >> See? >> THAT'S PRETTY FAST. >> [laughter] >> WELL DONE. Well done. >> What do you guys think? >> You passed the test. >> I passed? I >> No, no, no, no, no. Here's the way. >> Penalty kicks are hard. >> Yeah. >> Penalty kicks Penalty kicks are really difficult, as you know. >> Yeah. >> But, the ability your ability to then sprint, push, get to the corners, that was something you weren't able to do before coming in today.

So, it's a success for me. >> Yeah, for me, definitely success. I think you became a technician in goal. Like you know how to move, you know how to fall, you know how to parry, you know how to catch. Like you you can function as a goalkeeper now. And penalty kicks are luck. It's the hardest thing to save in a game. And you and you made a save and the shootout's a different story, but you you had almost had the first one. >> You flew and I was thinking this is it was close. >> too. >> I think you got a future in this thing. >> [laughter] >> All right, we just got a crash course in how to be a goalkeeper for penalty kicks.

I feel like I got incrementally better. I actually saved a kick. Shout out to Tim for an atrocious attempt. I think that this is a win. I still suck, but I suck less. Learned a lot about it. Hopefully you guys did, too. Let's go USA. This video is presented by The Home Depot, official FIFA World Cup 2026 supporter.