Mauricio Pochettino has played a pivotal role in inspiring the United States men’s national soccer team as they advance through the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with captain Tim Ream highlighting the Argentine coach's impact during the team’s recent celebrations over the Fourth of July weekend.

The United States marked its 250th Independence Day amid growing World Cup enthusiasm, and the occasion was intensified by the country’s progress in the tournament, which is being co-hosted by the United States. The team commemorated the holiday with an event at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, where approximately 50,000 fans—primarily baseball supporters of the Seattle Mariners—cheered the players as they were introduced. Pochettino was honored with throwing out the ceremonial first pitch, which he executed with notable success.

Ream, a former Fulham defender and the US team captain, acknowledged the significance of the celebrations at home during the World Cup. “It is special… doubly special because it’s during the World Cup. And it’s triple special because it’s here in the US,” he said, reflecting on the convergence of national pride and sporting achievement.

Pochettino, who characterizes himself as “200 percent Argentinian,” has embraced American culture during his time with the team, while also influencing the squad with his own cultural perspective. Ream recalled a memorable moment following the team’s opening game in Seattle, when John Denver’s “Country Roads” played throughout the stadium, symbolizing the growing bond between the coach and the environment.

The squad, a diverse group representing a range of backgrounds and regions, reflects the multicultural fabric of the United States, a fact Ream emphasized as a source of strength. “We have said this as a group with all our different backgrounds… it is a true representation of what America is,” he noted.

On the field, the United States has demonstrated strong performances. After a dominant 2-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina in New Jersey on July 4, achieved despite playing with ten men for a period, the US secured its first knockout stage win at a World Cup since 2002. This success sets up a last-16 clash against Belgium, a team that eliminated the United States in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The Americans will also have the return of star striker Folarin Balogun, whose one-match suspension was lifted following his red card against Bosnia. This reinstatement provides a significant boost as the US eyes victory over Belgium—a win that would mark their first over the Belgians in 96 years.

Should the US emerge victorious, they would advance to the quarter-finals at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, where they would face either Portugal or Spain. Pochettino has repeatedly driven home an optimistic message to his players with the mantra “why not us?”, encapsulating the team’s confident mindset as they pursue an unprecedented World Cup triumph on home soil.