Mauricio Pochettino gets emotional after USMNT reaches World Cup knockouts
Seattle witnessed history on Friday as the USMNT dismantled Australia 2-0 at Lumen Field. An early own goal off Cameron Burgess after a driving Folarin Balogun run, then a clutch Alex Freeman header right before halftime sealed it.
The win pushed the United States to 2-0-0 in Group D, delivered their first clean sheet in 10 games, and, with one group game still to play, officially clinched a spot in the Round of 32. This marks the first time in the modern USMNT era that the team has opened a World Cup with back-to-back wins, and both were on home soil.
Even head coach Mauricio Pochettino, an Argentinian native, admitted to feeling emotional after the historic win.
“Today, even if I am not American, after the game, I was emotional because I think it was amazing. The fans were amazing. The warm reception and the way they supported us. And the way they celebrated the victory. They make it feel very emotional, and the players are very emotional too, “Pochettino told reporters. “I think it was an amazing and perfect connection between the energy from the stands and the team.”
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Mexico became the first team to clinch a Round of 32 spot on Thursday, winning Group A outright after defeating South Korea 1-0 in front of more than 45,000 home fans in Guadalajara. The United States followed suit on Friday as the second nation through, also in front of a sellout crowd of more than 65,000 north of the border.
If Paraguay beats or draws with Turkey tonight, the U.S. wins Group D outright before their final group match against Turkey even kicks off. A win or draw against The Crescent-Stars on June 25 locks it up regardless.
With a +5 goal differential across two games, the U.S. hasn’t looked this dominant at a World Cup ever, let alone one where they’re the hosts. The 2026 World Cup final will be played on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and now real momentum is starting to build that Pochettino’s squad could be one of the two teams on the field that day.
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