"Use substitute minutes to force a coach's hand Dempsey praised Ricardo Pepe specifically because, despite not starting regularly, he "comes off the bench and makes an impact," and concluded: "you need to have that type of mindset — when you get the minutes, you make the most of them." This came from watching multiple cycles of World Cup qualifying where reserve players failed to convert limited appearances into roster spots. Anyone in a secondary role — at work, in a sport, or in a creative field — can use this as a decision rule: treat every small opportunity as a full audition rather than a consolation. Source: Clint Dempsey, Men in Blazers Live, US vs Belgium Pre-World Cup Show"