DON’T MISS A MOMENT OF THE WORLD CUP
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Ryan Tolmich
04 Jul 2026 08:35-05:00
On a 250th Fourth of July, Mauricio Pochettino and the USMNT have become America’s team, turning a World Cup run into a celebration of American soccer
SEATTLE –Fireworks went off in the background as fans in the crowd chanted “USA” over and over again. One by one, each player representing the U.S. Men’s National Team at this summer’s World Cup was introduced at T-Mobile Park. Finally, the introductions landed on Cristian Roldan, the hometown hero, as he emerged to raucous applause, a trident lifted over his head, much to the amusement of the Seattle Mariners’ crowd
Then, finally, the man of the hour emerged. Mauricio Pochettino, wearing a Mariners jersey, stepped onto the diamond to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Pochettino, of course, has no baseball background, but his pitch was as good as it could be. Probably not a strike, but, hey, it was close enough
On the night before America’s 250th birthday, the USMNT participated in America’s pastime. The fact is, though, that this Fourth of July isn’t about baseball. It never could be in this summer of soccer
This summer, a historic one for the country as a whole, is all about the USMNT. They’ve captured the hearts of the country with their run this World Cup, and that run will continue until at least Monday when they face Belgium in the Round of 16. Their path there has produced record views, countless moments, and a whole lot of singing “Country Roads.” This is their summer and, because that summer is continuing, they are American sports’ biggest story on America’s biggest holiday
That fact isn’t lost in anyone. For years, the USMNT, and soccer in general, has been fighting to be a part of the bigger picture. This time around, they are the picture. Fans from every corner of the country are desperate to be a part of what this team is putting together, and the more they keep putting together, the more people are welcomed onto a bandwagon that has the potential to keep growing
“I’m 200 percent Argentine. I’m not going to lie: I feel 100 percent Argentine,” Pochettino said on Wednesday, “but I think that when you’re here, you feel like part of something bigger, part of the things we’re building. I enjoy being part of this incredible project. And, of course, when that song [Take Me Home, Country Roads] starts playing in the stadium, it’s impossible not to sing it. It’s impossible, because it’s an incredible and very moving song
“After winning a match and after a year and a half of preparing to be here, that’s exactly why we signed with this country and this federation: because we wanted to feel that emotion. One thing is to be involved. I love getting involved and being part of the party.”
The party is just beginning, and it’s unlike any soccer has had in this country before
Getty Images SportA growing relationship
In the hours before the USMNT took the field for their pre-Fourth of July baseball adventure, Folarin Balogun put it simply
“This sort of stuff can only happen in America,” he said
This summer has been one that has seen the U.S. welcome the world, but has also felt uniquely American. At least part of that reason is the rise of this USMNT, one that continues to push boundaries and expectations with their World Cup run
It began with two wins, one over Paraguay and one over Australia. With those two wins, the USMNT won back-to-back World Cup games for the first time in 96 years, and they did so with style. This wasn’t a team content to sit back and hope; they were the aggressor, racking up six goals in those 180 minutes to send a message to the world
They also sent a message to the U.S., and after the Australia game, the U.S. sent a message back. Moments after that victory, the crowd serenaded their heroes with John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads”. The song has since become an anthem, one that binds players and fans
“At the end of the day, you’re here for yourself, you’re here for the team, but you’re here to change the game in America, the perception of soccer in America,” defender Auston Trusty said. “To hear that atmosphere and feel the whole entire vibe of the game, I think as people who are fans of the sport, but also who are becoming fans of sport through watching us play and watching this World Cup, that’s what it’s all about.”
Since arriving in October 2024, that was what Pochettino has been desperate to see. Throughout his tenure, he’s spoken several times about building the connection between the team and its fans. That, as he’s said, “is football”. Having grown up in Argentina, he has, at times, been frustrated by the support in stadiums, which is sometimes 50-50, to put it lightly
It’s partly why he cried after the USMNT’s Gold Cup loss to Mexico last summer, one in which the USMNT was serenaded off the field by Mexican fans in Houston. It’s also why he was emotional after that win over Australia, when it was his team being serenaded as heroes
“It’s not only to prepare a game and go to play against another team,” he said. “It’s representing your country. It’s a fight for your flag. It’s the emotion, the culture, the philosophy. It’s how you are.”
Over the last year or so, the USMNT’s Argentinian coach has fallen in love with American culture. That, too, has been one of this summer’s biggest stories
Getty Images SportPoch’s American love affair
There are various aspects of American culture that Pochettino has fallen for. He’s spoken extensively about his love of country music, namely Ella Langley. He enjoys American food, particularly Chick-Fil-A. More than anything, he says, he enjoys the people. He’s met so many since he’s arrived as American soccer’s game-changing force. Almost every interaction has been somewhat similar in feeling
“People are very approachable and make you feel comfortable,” he says. “It’s very welcoming. You can go to, I don’t know, some place like Nashville, go to a bar, and if you’re alone, you can make friends so quickly. You can look like you belong in a few minutes and feel like you belong in that place
“When you go around America, that for me was a massive surprise, and every state is all different, but you have the same sense of human being. You always want to welcome people. You make people feel that they belong quickly in that place… I know that the country is massive, and the people are so good. I think we learn a lot. I think we are much better people now, knowing the country and the culture of the people here.”
Many fans would say the same. Pochettino has lived up to his billing as a force of change. When he was brought in to lead the USMNT in 2024, he arrived to correct a program trending in the wrong direction. There were bumps along the way, some calculated, Pochettino says, but those bumps, ultimately, were for the best. The USMNT peaked at the right time, and Pochettino has been getting the credit for ensuring that happened
Meanwhile, those who have worked with him have seen their own relationships develop. As the man himself says, Pochettino’s time in American soccer has changed him, and his players have enjoyed seeing that happen up close
“I think he definitely learns a lot,” star Christian Pulisic recently said of his coach’s newfound Americanisms. “I think the American culture is very unique. Sometimes, someone will say something to him in a meeting or whatever, and it just sounds like super American slang. He’s like, ‘huh?’, and I just find it so funny
“It feels like he’s really in tune with it. I’m in his office yesterday, and he’s listening to country music. It’s funny to see, but then he also brings his Argentinian culture. The staff shows us things from there. It’s a unique bond within the group, for sure.”
The Americanization doesn’t just apply to Pochettino, but also to the players who didn’t grow up in the continental United States. For those players, Chris Richards and Tim Weah have often served as the team’s unofficial tour guides, taking their teammates to some of American soccer’s not-so-crucial landmarks
“I remember Balo’s first camp, we were taking them to American staples, particularly in food, and so I think he enjoyed that. I think he still has this kind of notion where he says ‘Americans aren’t real’ because there’s some stuff that we do that just doesn’t fly back in London. It takes a while to learn, and especially when you’re only here for a few weeks at a time. It’s been cool being able to see different pockets of America
“I’m trying to get a few of the guys to come to Alabama and see where I grew up, but it’s been cool. They’ve seen the South now, they’ve seen out west, the Pacific Northwest. It’s my first time going to Seattle as well, so that was cool to be able to experience that with everybody.”
While the USMNT has enjoyed their tour of America, there’s been a separate story going on with the World Cup’s other participants, who have helped make this American summer feel a little bit more worldly
AFPWorld Cup impact
If you’ve been on social media, you’ve almost certainly seen the clips. You’ve seen the Scots taking over Boston bars or the English singing for their new heroes on the Atlanta Braves. You’ve seen Norway rowing through Times Square or the city of Lawrence, Kansas adopt the phrase “Rock Chalk Algeria”. Argentinian singalongs, Japanese cleanups and German saxophones – all part of a World Cup that has seen the world arrive on American shores
At a time in history where divisiveness has become the norm, there have been a few weeks where the world has come together to celebrate the game they love and the fact that, no matter where you’re from, it’s a game worth loving
“I think, for me, it helps America have this feeling of different cultures,” Anja Tillman, mother of USMNT star Malik, tells GOAL. “This brings so much to this country. I think this tournament has done that, especially.”
Unique bonds have been built as a result of this cultural exchange. Pochettino has experienced that firsthand, having been in the country longer than those visiting this summer. He hopes that Americans will have learned something from the world, but also hopes that the world has learned something from the Americans who have welcomed soccer with open arms for this tournament
“When people come, they start to realize that sometimes you have a wrong idea about the people here in this country,” he says. “Maybe the different countries reflect different visions about the USA. The reality is different.”
One of Pochettino’s taglines for this summer, though, has been “never chase reality”. He uses it to remind his team to dream big, to believe that they can win the World Cup. If they do, it will change the trajectory of American soccer forever, of course. In truth, though, this team already has
Getty Images SportThe chance to leave a legacy
Every time they speak to the media, the USMNT’s players are asked about the idea of legacy. What will this summer mean? How can this run impact the sport? How can it impact America as a whole?
“I’ve been trying to comprehend it, but I think America’s such a big country,” Balogun said. “It’s difficult, but Weston [McKennie] has been showing me videos because I sit next to him on the plane. He’s been showing me videos of fans in different parts, watching the games on some big screens, in bars and stuff. Every time we score, they’re celebrating in different places
“I think it’s not something any of us can really comprehend because we’re in it, but I think once we’re out of it, and, I don’t know, kind of getting on with our daily lives, I think we’ll be able to see the impact we’ve made. It’s a beautiful thing.”
This group, one dubbed a golden generation years ago, has always aimed to make that kind of impact. Before Pochettino’s tenure, the goal of the Gregg Berhalter era was to change the perception of American soccer forever. This is the summer to do it. Heading into it, everyone knew this was the chance
So far, the USMNT has come good. So far, they’ve made their mark, bringing in new fans while also reigniting the passion of old ones. By the end of this, that will likely be the team’s legacy. They’ll be the ones that gave everyone a reason to celebrate, either for the first time or for the thousandth
“I think, as a team, we want to leave our mark on the game and leave a legacy behind,” Tyler Adams said. “I want it to be more than just what this moment has created and the hype around it, you know. If we’re talking about the team and the success that they’ve had two years from now, then we’ve done something right.”
That talk is for another day. For now, there’s a game to prepare for and a holiday to celebrate. Pochettino effectively began those holiday celebrations with his address to the Seattle crowd moments after throwing his first pitch. Then, once Pochettino and Roldan took the microphone to send a message:
“Let’s go win a World Cup.”
On the Fourth of July, 250 years after the U.S. declared independence, the World Cup feels closer than ever. So, too, do American soccer and those who love it
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