Less than a day after throwing out the first pitch at a Seattle Mariners game, U.S. men’s national soccer team head coach Mauricio Pochettino took a moment to acknowledge a significant milestone: the 250th anniversary of American independence. Speaking before practice at Husky Soccer Stadium on Saturday, Pochettino, who was born in Argentina and currently resides in Spain, expressed his appreciation for the country he is representing at this year’s World Cup.
“Happy birthday,” Pochettino told reporters, reflecting on the nation’s historic celebration. While he embraces the American experience, Pochettino maintains a strong connection to his Argentine roots, a balance noted by U.S. captain Tim Ream. “He’s 200 percent Argentine,” Ream said. “He’s taken to the culture but definitely hasn’t forgotten where he came from.”
The diversity of the U.S. team is a recurring theme this tournament. Of the roster, six players were born outside the United States, and others, like forward Folarin Balogun, were raised overseas. Balogun, who was born in Brooklyn to Nigerian parents but grew up in London, had the option of representing three different countries internationally. He chose the United States, calling the experience of playing in a World Cup held on home soil uniquely meaningful.
While soccer remains less popular in the United States compared to football, basketball, and baseball, recent polling from Ipsos Sports suggests that the World Cup has sparked increased interest in the sport nationwide. The U.S. team’s upcoming match on Monday at Lumen Field against Belgium presents an opportunity to build on that momentum. A win would mark the first time the Americans have advanced past the Round of 16 twice and secure their first quarterfinal appearance since 2002.
Ream described the match as a chance to inspire millions of fans and young players across the country. “It’s an opportunity for us to win another knockout-stage game in a World Cup,” he said.
The team’s diverse lineup reflects a broad cross-section of American life. Players such as Weston McKennie and Sergiño Dest, both children of U.S. military personnel, exemplify this melting pot. Despite a lopsided 5-2 loss to Belgium in a pre-tournament friendly in March, Dest expressed confidence in the squad’s growth and potential. “Belgium is a great opponent,” Dest said. “But we also see some opportunities to win that game. We are a great team at the moment, and it’s really difficult to beat us.”
Saturday evening offered the team a chance to commemorate the Fourth of July by watching fireworks from a rooftop venue in Seattle. For Ream, who has played professionally in England’s Premier League before returning to Major League Soccer, celebrating the American holiday away from the United States presents a distinct experience. He noted that many people abroad are less familiar with the holiday’s significance, which underscored for him the importance of the occasion.
Reflecting on the team’s composition and the spirit it embodies, Ream said, “It’s the perfect representation of what the U.S. is—a melting pot of people, personalities, of characters.” With the country’s independence milestone behind them, the U.S. team aims to make a historic run in the tournament and further unite a nation through the sport.