Scuffed | USMNT, World Cup, Yanks Abroad, futbol in America - #583: Cameron Carter-Vickers joins the pod

Episode Date: April 3, 2025

CCV sits down with Sanjay in SoCal to talk about the respite of national team camps, building racecars with Legos, jumping on the field at the 2022 World Cup, and much more. As usual, good rapport in the conversation. Here's where you can send us a voice message for future episodes: https://www.speakpipe.com/ScuffedPodcastVince and Belz and George Quraishi are definitely taking a group to Rome from May 10-18, here's some detail, including a rough itinerary: https://earthlydelights.notion.site/Italia-25-with-Scuffed-1a3f3f1e0145804793e8e83e982168fdYou can still sign up! Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfp2O1bIr5KNSymt3ayP3ctERCooDo3ADM5Kf_kSHpmr6ITMg/viewform Skip the ads! Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon and get all episodes ad-free, plus any bonus episodes. Patrons at $5 a month or more also get access to Clip Notes, a video of key moments on the field we discuss on the show, plus all patrons get access to our private Discord server, live call-in shows, and the full catalog of historic recaps we've made: https://www.patreon.com/scuffedAlso, check out Boots on the Ground, our USWNT-focused spinoff podcast headed up by Tara and Vince. They are cooking over there, you can listen here: https://boots-on-the-ground.simplecast.comAnd check out our MERCH, baby. We have better stuff than you might think: https://www.scuffedhq.com/store Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey, everybody, this is Bells. This interview was conducted by Sanjay during Nations League camp. Kind of made more sense to wait on releasing it, since there was a lot of stuff coming out during the camp. But here it is. They get into what kind of Legos he likes to build, his sort of tit-for-tat, but good-natured relationship with Eric Palmer Brown,

the expectations for stylish victory at Celtic, and lots more, what it was like to join us. jump on the field for the USA at the World Cup in 2022. Yeah, it's obvious that Sanjay and CCV got along well. Enjoy the interview. And if you want to skip the ads all the time, every time, join our Patreon.

The link is in the show notes. Here's Sanjay's interview with Cameron Carter Vickers. Welcome to the Scuff podcast where we talk about U.S. soccer. Welcome to the scuffed podcast. Sanjay here, and I'm joined by Celtic. in the United States men's national team defender, Cameron Carter Vakers. Cam, thanks for coming on the pod. Yeah, no problem.

Happy, happy, happy to be here. Do people call you CCV or is that just fans on the internet? What do you go by? Yeah, not many people call me CCTV in rural life. Some people do, to be honest, but it's mainly either Cam or Cameron, yeah, pretty basic. In his book, Marutillo-Pachino talked about how hard it is to get players to buy into his intense way of doing things. But he singled you out as an exception.

He wrote, if you ask Cameron Carter Vickers to run into a wall, he'll say, do you want me to do it twice? That kind of determination, where do you think that comes from? Yeah, I don't know. It probably is a bit through, obviously, you know, coming through at Tottenham, you know, Pogetina, what's kind of the first team coach I had. And I think when you're that young,

you kind of just adjust to the, see the things you're off to do. And, you know, you're kind of happy to just get on with stuff and happy to be there. So it probably comes a bit through that. I mean, I also got a credit. You know, John McDermott, he was my academy manager. So he was kind of seeing over, like, all the academy when I was there. And he was similar.

You know, he kind of drummed that into us at, you know, kind of your work rate and your efforts always got to be there. And that, um, and that you're there. You just got to, you know, constantly try and improve and do the best you can. You were first introduced to the first team by Potch. What's like to be reunited? Yeah, no, it's been good. I only arrived here on Monday, so today's really my second day here.

But it's definitely nice to see him and the coaching self because like I said, I spent a lot of time when I was younger, but I haven't really seen him much since. So it's definitely good to see everyone. What were your memories of him bringing you into the first team environment? Yeah, I mean, mainly positive. It was just, I think to be honest, as I was saying you, it was the first kind of first team culture had.

And I think a lot of the, you know, a lot of his methods and the way he works are kind of probably still used today to try and keep on top of my body and do the right things. Do you notice any similarities or differences between how he operates in a club environment versus the national team? I know it's only been short, but it's only heard from the guys and what you've seen. Yeah, from what I've seen and what I've kind of heard from other players,

it seems fairly similar. obviously it's probably a bit harder for him to implement exactly how we were doing the club team and national team because you're only together for short periods of time but I think you can see and speak to the boys that they're saying that it's fairly similar to how he was at Tottenham what was your reaction when you found out he'd be getting the job you'd be taking the job

you know I was excited to bonus because like I said I know how good of a coach he is and you know I felt like he could probably get the best out of out of this group of players and so yeah I was excited. At Spurs, he tweaked his back, thought he tweaked his back while challenging you for an aerial ball. Did you win that challenge? Did you win the ball? And then did you apologize that? Actually, I honestly can't remember that exactly. I know he did used to join in in the boxes.

He used to join in the boxes. So it must have been in one of them. But yeah, I probably would have apologized if he tweaked his back. anything specifically you've learned from him as a defender obviously he was a defender yeah I mean like I said a lot of the kind of basics of defending terms of the body shape footwork and stuff like that you know I like to think working with him at a young age kind of definitely gave me a boost in them aspects of my game and you know something I still try and concentrate on now is just kind of making sure your body shape is always right and you know footwork so important for a defender as well, making sure you can kind of close space and I'm ready to drop

when you need to drop and stuff like that. So playing for a team like Celtic now, you're pretty much expected to win every game you play, at least in domestic competition. Is there an expectation that you must win with style against all non-rangers opponents? It's not just about the score, but the style play. Yeah, you know, I think there definitely is. And I think the fans, you know, even in Europe, they kind of expect us to win. But yeah, it's definitely a club that's kind of unique in that way where, you know, every performance is analyzed and every game is a big occasion and you're expected to play well and win.

And that's a pressure now that I think I'm kind of used to. And to be honest, I kind of enjoy it. Can you tell me about the adjustment in terms of preparation going from a league game on the weekend to a fixture like by Munich. What happens in training to gear up for that? Yeah, I mean, the games are different, to be honest. I think it's kind of like, you know, in the league, we kind of have a way that, you know, we want to play

and a style that we want to play in and that doesn't really change them matter who we play in the league. You know, let me go into the Champions League. And, you know, again, we still want to kind of be the same team and have the same principles, but there's definitely, you know, adjustments that we make in terms of, you know, we know we might not have as much as a bull and we know we might have to be more patient in our defending. But then we also know that when we do get the ball back, we have to be confident enough

and have the belief that we can keep it off these teams and hurt them. And I think this season we've done a pretty good job, pretty good job in all the aspects. I'm just curious because it's like that Byron game is such a big game for you, right, that match up. Not that you want to overlook any domestic opponents, but are you guys prepared? for Byron like extra well ahead of time? Like is there is that layered in or is it just about the next team? You know what I mean?

I think I think I think I think I'm saying the fans and just the club in general doesn't really get you doesn't really let you get too far ahead of yourself because as I'm saying every game there whether it's a league game, Champions League game, Cup game. They're all big occasions and you're aware of that so you know you kind of got to perform in every game. There definitely is something special about them kind of Champions League nights, especially at Celtic Park

but I think we kind of know as a group that you can't just perform in that and then go to the weekend and lose you've got to kind of back up them Champions League performances with good performances in the league and results in the league so so yeah that's the kind of way we look at it so there's an unlucky finish the second leg versus Byron

but people came away very impressed with your partnership with Austin and the team's fearlessness in possession right with the ball could you tell us what specifically Brendan Rogers does to get the team playing that way, whether it's what he does in training, film work, habits he does or does not encourage? Because that was really eye-opening for a lot of people. Yeah, I mean, it's funny in a way, like, obviously I understand that, you know, them games,

a lot more people watch because they are big games, but, you know, if you kind of watch us throughout the season, you see that's something we've been doing right throughout this season. And I think that's the way it comes from. You can't just go into a big game and try and turn it on. You've got to be working out that consistently for a number of months to be able to do it on that stage. And I think that's what we understand as a group and what Brendan Rogers understands the group is that we need to be working on that day in, day out. And then naturally, as a group of players, you build confidence in it and you're confident enough to do it at that level. And yeah, that's how it kind of works.

Is there anything specific, you remember, that kind of like unlocked it for you guys, like a training exercise or something he said to you guys in a meeting? Obviously, it's a process where you gain that confidence, but anything you can single out about the way Brendan worked with you guys. You know, it's like you saying, it's probably more of a process and than one thing he said or done, but it's just about, you know, giving us that belief and that we can do that. And no matter who we kind of play against, you know,

if we get our, you know, our shape right, and we all want the ball and all looking for the ball at kind of all time, then we can play and can't keep the rule against these top teams. Could you compare it to the way, because under Greg, the US was trying to become more possession-based team, right? Could you compare it to that in terms of the process? Yeah, I think you can. It's always hard to compare club and national team just because, you know, as I'm saying, I think that process that you go on to become a good team in possession is a long one

and one you need to kind of work at consistently. So with the national team, you just don't have the time. That's just the reality of national team football. I think it definitely helps if the style of football you play in the national team kind of matches as many of the styles of players playing at their club. Because obviously, as a player, you can bring that into the national team and you're already in that flow of stuff. But yeah, I think it's hard to kind of compare club and national team.

just got the time. You've been involved with the U.S. team longer than pretty much every dual national who's on rosters these days, Jedi, Sugenia, Eunice, what goes on? What's it been like to be that kind of OG and see more guys come in who are eligible for different countries? And on the field and off the field, what's that been like to kind of see guys being integrated more and more? Yeah, no, it's been good.

It's been good. I'm saying that it makes you feel a bit old, but yeah, it's definitely been good. some of the experiences I've had with the national team, I'll remember forever. So, yeah, obviously, still only 27, so hopefully you have a few more years left in me yet. But yeah, it's been good. Off the field, in terms of that integration, do you think it's that much easier for dual Nats to come in? Because there's this, like, base built up now socially? Yeah, no, I think so.

And to be fair, the group of players we have now, and to be honest, since I've been with a national team always had, have always been pretty welcoming and open and, you know, a lot of the guys, you know, really look forward to camps because it's a chance to kind of catch up with players and people that they've known for years,

and it's always a good atmosphere. What was it like to play in the World Cup with no minutes prior to that? First of all, what was your reaction when Greg told you, you're getting the start, and then what was that like? Yeah, no, I was, I was ready, to be honest, you know,

I didn't play the first couple of games, but, you know, I always knew that at some point I might get the chance to play, and, you know, I was just kind of preparing for that. You know, that was a, if I'm right, I think we needed, we had to win that game, didn't we, to qualify? To get out of the group. Yeah, so I knew it was obviously going to be a big pressure game, but I do honestly think that, you know, playing at Celtic and stuff like that, playing in games there where you need to win kind of help prepare me for that game.

But, yeah, it was good, and obviously, obviously, a big, big relief to win that and get out of the group. Anything specific, you remember about your instructions going to that game? Like, how did Greg prepare you for, like you said, it's a game where you expected to win, expected to have the ball? Anything you remember going into that game? Yeah, just that, really, that, you know, we, you know we needed to win, so we were kind of pushing from the start to score and create chances. And, you know, again, that's similar to how we kind of play at Celtics,

so it kind of matched up well for me. But yeah, just be confident on the ball and make sure kind of progress the ball as well as we can through the pitch and then be ready to defend counter attacks when they get the ball back. In terms of your club future, there's been rumored Premier League interest for a while. Is that still on your mind? You're still aiming for that? Or where are you at right now? Yeah.

For me, I really do generally enjoy our Celtic. and, you know, it's not something that, you know, I've really looked, in terms of interest in other clubs, it's not really something I've looked at. But, yeah, I mean, right now I'm just kind of focused on trying to perform for show week and doing as well as I can. You went through a lot of loans, like you mentioned. And I know there's probably positives to that. I've heard you talk about, you know, socially being forced to adapt more

and gain those social skills, but it's got to be challenging, right? kind of like someone who moves a lot, being on loan for as long as you were. Yeah, I think when I look back now, I think it's something that, you know, I wouldn't change because I think I learned so much from the long moves, both on the pitch and off the pitch. I think sometimes when people look at it from afar, they kind of think, oh, you're only at this club for six months, or you're only there for a year and, you know, maybe can't really see the development there. But for me, I think I definitely developed a lot.

And, you know, most of the clubs I went to, I played most of the games. So, you know, in my head, they kind of all went well. And, and yes, you know, I look back at it now, and I think playing in so many different teams and different styles definitely kind of helped me develop as a player. And while you were on loan, were you hoping during that time

that you would get a real chance again with Spurs? and when did you start to realize that that might not be the case, right? Because you're probably one eye on that and you're in touch with the Spurs' coaches. So what was that like psychologically? Yeah. It's a strange one because you know, I think any player at a big club, I think they want to at some point go there and play. But you also will be realistic and know what the realistic outcome is going to be.

And I think for me it was just about trying to play as well. as I could at the clubs I was at. And then, you know, if I did get the chance with Tottenham, I did. If I didn't, you know, playing well on loan would, you know, help me get other opportunities. And that was kind of my focus. And at what point did you kind of realize it might not happen for me at Spurs? And how did you kind of get through that and get over that? Because that's got to be tough to swallow, right?

Yeah. I'm trying to think back. I can't think of the exact time, maybe towards the last couple years where I was on loan. I think my last loan before Celtic was. Bournemouth and we made the playoffs in the championship that year. So, you know, I think at that point I kind of knew that, you know, whether I go back to Bournemouth or somewhere else, I probably wasn't going to stay at Spurs. But I was, at that point, you know, I was ready for that and I was kind of prepared for that.

And I can't say I was too disappointed, to be honest, at that point because, again, you know, looking at a situation realistically, I kind of knew it was going to get to a point like that and, you know, I was ready for it. So there's a 2018 video of you. Tyler Adams, Josh Sargent, Eric Palmer Brown. You guys are talking about memories from the U-20 World Cup. And Tyler says there's no getting even with Cameron. He always has to take it to the next level.

He was talking about you flipping a bed and messing up somebody's hotel room. Do you remember whose room it was and what they did that you need to do that to take it to the next level? Honestly, I can't remember who's room. It might have been Eric's room, maybe. Yeah, because Eric's similar to me. I remember one, another story was on a plane journey. me and he's sitting next to me and he's like knocked my iPad off the of a little table that you get then I've knocked his then he's knocked mine back and we've gone back I swear for about an hour

hour and a half we're sitting there just holding on like to all our belongings just staring at each other like not being able to relax because we didn't want to even yeah yeah we didn't want either even one of us getting the upper hand but um to be fair it's just all good fun in it and I'm I'm quite I'm actually quite chilled as a person and just like to enjoy, enjoy life, really. You're in the right place for that. Do you like having your birthday on New Year's Eve or do you think it gets overlooked because it's a holiday? Yeah, I don't mind it too far. I'm not a massive birthday guy in general, yeah.

It's nice, obviously, to spend time with family and on my birthday, but with football as well. I'm used to kind of just, I'm always training on the 1st of Jan. So, you know, it's not too much should have brain being done. but again, it's nice to kind of spend time with family. It's nice from older, right, because you care less about your birthday, so you can just kind of, like, fold it in. I feel like to, oh, let's go out for dinner anyway, right? No, 100%.

That's the way I feel. I don't really like being the center of attention and that, so it's nice to be able to blend in, blend in at times. Can you play basketball, and how good are you? You know about your dad's background? Yeah, I played in school a little bit. Obviously, basketball is not big in the UK, so the competition is probably not as good as over here,

but yeah, I was okay, nothing special. Our listeners like learning about English snack brands. So when you were selling soda and candy back in the day at school, what were you selling in? And, yeah, what were your best selling brands? Where did you get that? We do our research, man. Yeah, no, it was just so.

I used to go to kind of like a bargain store where I'd get, you know, four canter of Coke for a pound. or a pound 50 I can't remember now and then I kind of sell them all individually for 50p so yeah I had a decent little profit margin there which I was working with so yeah it was Colts Luke Azade

dairy milks um I know the few other things as well but but I can't Luke Azade's great for our listeners that's like a it's like a fizzy Gatorade right how would you describe it yeah pretty much yeah it's like a fizzy kind of sports drink

um yeah probably the closest thing is Gatorade yeah Fizzy Gatorade that's what I compare it to What were your memories of summers in Louisiana with your dad? Had you liked Louisiana spending time there, the food, the weather? Yeah, they were good. I really enjoyed them.

So I got a lot of family down there on my dad's side. I got a lot of cousins and stuff who were, you know, none of the same age, but kind of either a bit older or a bit younger. So it was good to just kind of hang out with them and mess around with them in the summer. Do you like the swampy summer is there better, or middle of winter, brick cold in Scotland or even England? Yeah It's a tough one

Because to be fair The summer's down there Probably a bit too Yeah Yeah Probably a bit too warm for me But then yeah The winters in the UK

Are not great as well It's a tough one I'll probably say I probably say the winters in the UK Just because I'm probably more used to it And you know You can always put on more clothes

To keep warm But you know There's a point where you can't take anything else off To get cool So yeah What's your go-to meal when you come back to the States? It's a tough one, probably Chick-fil-A. To bonus, yeah.

I know that's pretty bad for your diet. But yeah, I do like a bit of Chick-fil-A. Did you make a March Madness bracket? No, I didn't. The college basketball is not something I'll follow. I don't know too much about, too honest. Me neither, but sometimes you get lucky. You make one.

I know nothing and I've won a few times. I highly recommend trying you. Anything else you'd like, fans to know about you. What are some of your interest hobbies outside of football when you your way from the pitch? I know you mentioned your dog's probably got you pretty busy now, but what are you up to off the pitch? Yeah, so

mainly just chilling, to be fair. We've our schedule the last few months at Celtics been kind of relentless, so it's been a lot of like playing every three, four days. So I haven't really been up to much, but yeah, just kind of spending time, you know, chilling, you know, walking a dog. I still build Legos, which is,

yeah, which is a nice little pastime for me. Enjoy doing that. But yeah, just nice and simple, really. Was the proudest Lego you built? Was there like a theme or it's just like a... Yeah, so back in the day there weren't. I just kind of bought any set that was... Any big set I'd buy and just do,

because I just enjoy doing it. But now I've got to the point where I've really got too many. So, yeah, I've got to start streamlining what I buy. So at the moment, I'm only really buying cards. So I just bought two F1 cars, Ferrari and Red Bull. And, yeah, I just finished building them before I come out here. Kim, thanks so much for coming on the pot. All right. Thank you.