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'Underdog' U.S. Team Featured on National TV

by Matt DaSilva | Lacrosse Magazine Online Staff

Al Roker is nothing if not consistent, whether he’s talking weather or lacrosse.

The Manchester-bound U.S. men’s national team appeared Thursday morning on NBC’s “Today Show.” It was the second time in less than a year that lacrosse was featured on the national morning news and talk show, which averages between 5 and 6 million viewers daily.

Hosts Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieria, news anchor Ann Curry and weather man Roker greeted Team USA head coach Mike Pressler and players Kevin Cassese, Max Seibald and Matt Striebel outside NBC’s studios at Rockefeller Plaza in New York.

Lauer noted the U.S. team’s international dominance until 2006, when Canada beat Team USA for the first time since 1978 for the gold medal.

“What are you going to do to bring the gold home?” Lauer asked.

“It’s been a four-year plan for us since ’06,” Pressler replied.

Said Cassese, a three-time Team USA member: “We’re going in as the underdogs this time. For us, it’s about getting back to simple things.”

Said Lauer: “It’s a tough game, but it’s such a great game to watch.”

Striebel presented the “Today Show” team with Team USA jerseys donning the number 10 and the hosts’ and anchors’ names. “A going away gift,” he said.

Then Roker, echoing a statement he made about lacrosse in August 2009 when the Long Island Lizards appeared on the show to promote Major League Lacrosse, chuckled. “They way they use to play this game,” he said, “the losers got killed.”

Team USA embarks on training camp next week at Bryant University before meeting the MLL All-Stars on July 8 at Harvard Stadium, its final exhibition before the FIL World Championships in Manchester, England.