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USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino is growing increasingly confident in his team’s chances of winning this year’s World Cup, and he expressed such during a recent appearance on the Pat McAfee Show.
Pochettino said he is determined to win the quadrennial tournament for the USA because he has fallen in love with the country’s people and culture. During his interview with McAfee, the former Tottenham manager cited the nation’s rich history of beating the odds as his motivation.
“It’s an unbelievable country with unbelievable people. When you are excited, you can achieve anything you want. You arrived to the moon, you were first to everything. That’s true, (America) is the most powerful country in every single area,” Pochettino stated. “So, why not in soccer? Why not us? Why not us?”
Pochettino is one step closer to achieving his goal after the Stars and Stripes won 2-0 against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32. They will face Belgium in the Round of 16 on Monday at Lumen Field in Seattle.
MORE:USA-Belgium World Cup odds stun soccer world ahead of Round of 16
June 12, 2026; Inglewood, California, U.S.; U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino reacts. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
The USA may have won 2-0 against Bosnia and Herzegovina. But they will be without Folarin Balogun in their Round of 16 matchup against Belgium, as the AS Monaco striker accrued a straight red card in the 64th minute.
Balogun received his marching orders for his studs-up challenge on Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic while going for the ball, and head coach Mauricio Pochettino shared his thoughts on it during his post-match presser.
“For me, (it was) never a red card,” Pochettino told reporters. “I watched it after on TV, and it was never the intention (of Balogun) to step on the player. That was a normal action in football that happened by accident, and it’s never intentional. That’s why, for me, it was never a red card.”
Balogun is the Stars and Stripes’ leading scorer in the tournament with three goals, so losing him is a massive blow. Since the USA cannot appeal the decision, Pochettino must find another source for goals.
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Pochettino said he is determined to win the quadrennial tournament for the USA because he has fallen in love with the country’s people and culture. During his interview with McAfee, the former Tottenham manager cited the nation’s rich history of beating the odds as his motivation.
“It’s an unbelievable country with unbelievable people. When you are excited, you can achieve anything you want. You arrived to the moon, you were first to everything. That’s true, (America) is the most powerful country in every single area,” Pochettino stated. “So, why not in soccer? Why not us? Why not us?”
Pochettino is one step closer to achieving his goal after the Stars and Stripes won 2-0 against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32. They will face Belgium in the Round of 16 on Monday at Lumen Field in Seattle.
MORE:USA-Belgium World Cup odds stun soccer world ahead of Round of 16
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June 12, 2026; Inglewood, California, U.S.; U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino reacts. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Mauricio Pochettino sounds off on Folarin Balogun’s red card in previous World Cup contest
The USA may have won 2-0 against Bosnia and Herzegovina. But they will be without Folarin Balogun in their Round of 16 matchup against Belgium, as the AS Monaco striker accrued a straight red card in the 64th minute.
Balogun received his marching orders for his studs-up challenge on Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic while going for the ball, and head coach Mauricio Pochettino shared his thoughts on it during his post-match presser.
“For me, (it was) never a red card,” Pochettino told reporters. “I watched it after on TV, and it was never the intention (of Balogun) to step on the player. That was a normal action in football that happened by accident, and it’s never intentional. That’s why, for me, it was never a red card.”
Balogun is the Stars and Stripes’ leading scorer in the tournament with three goals, so losing him is a massive blow. Since the USA cannot appeal the decision, Pochettino must find another source for goals.
Continue reading...
