Mauricio Pochettino is doing an excellent job as head coach of the United States men’s national team at the World Cup.
The USA have already qualified for the knockout rounds by winning their first two matches against Paraguay and Australia.
They will win Group D and face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 regardless of the result against Turkiye on Thursday.
Not only have the USMNT performed well on the pitch, but they have captured the imagination of American sports fans.
Pochettino will be delighted with the support his team has received after taking inspiration from the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Ohio State’s game-day atmosphere left a lasting impression on Mauricio Pochettino
Pochettino has gone above and beyond in his management of the USMNT by also integrating into American culture.
The Argentine coach attended a college football game at the Ohio Stadium and was in awe of the atmosphere.
Pochettino wanted the atmosphere to be similar at the USMNT’s 2026 World Cup games, and his wish has already been granted.
The USA fans have been amazing in both games, as Pochettino’s team has made them dream about going all the way.
“That was a really cool moment, and I will say the whole stadium singing it… I like that leaning into the American sporting culture,” journalist Tim Bogert explained.
“This isn’t abnormal at other stadiums in different sports, and it just felt like a really organic and cool moment in Seattle.
“So long may it continue, even if that song could be associated with other college football teams or professional teams.
“I want the United States to be leaning into a college football atmosphere more than anything else because those stadiums are special.
“Mauricio Pochettino went to an Ohio State American football game, and after the game, he was gushing about it like, ‘Oh, I want our atmosphere to be like this.’
“So the more and more they can get of that, I think it is positive.”
The USMNT will return to Los Angeles to face Turkiye on Thursday before travelling to San Francisco for the Round of 32.
Pochettino’s team must not be complacent, but they have a realistic chance of reaching the quarter-finals for the first time in 24 years.
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