マウリシオ・ポチェッティーノはいかにして「アメリカ人」になり、ワールドカップでアメリカの黄金世代の能力を最大限に引き出したのか

Mauricio Pochettino could have made this all about himself and his next big coaching contract.

With the Premier League and Europe watching, the former Chelsea and Tottenham coach has instead focused all of his attention on the power of the United States of America.

Mauricio Pochettino is comfortable coaching USMNTgetty

Pochettino learns what makes USA tick

“He’s come in and he’s really wanted to understand it from the players’ point of view — what it means and what it feels like to be American,” US Men’s National Team striker Folarin Balogun told reporters on Monday.

Pochettino’s look has changed during USMNT’s World Cup run, with the Argentina-born coach appearing more West Coast than White Hart Lane.

He spent months asking USA fans from California and Washington to Florida and Maine to support the team during the biggest sports tournament in history, then sprinted down the sideline to celebrate with a squad the 54-year-old coach has grown increasingly close to.

“He’s always asking questions,” Balogun said.

“We might be watching a basketball game or something and he’s intrigued and he wants to learn more.

“I feel like that gives us confidence as players, just that he’s really on board with what we’re doing.”

There’s been Pochettino’s ‘Why not us?’ drive, which saw the former Paris Saint-Germain leader push USMNT as a dark-horse World Cup champion long before it became fashionable among TV pundits and social media analysts.

He’s also called out American soccer for its lack of promotion and relegation, all while reminding his unproven team that the USA is at its best when it projects passion and strength in a positive way.

Being American works well for USMNT

“I think one is that we’re American. We don’t take s***,” USMNT midfielder Sebastian Berhalter said.

“I think that’s something that (Pochettino) really put in. Even though he’s Argentinian, he has that mindset of, like, ‘Look, this is what we do, and this is who we are, and this is what America is about.’

Pochettino’s embrace of America has impressed USMNT’s playersgetty Pochettino has been passionate in his support of USMNTgetty He looked different when he led Tottenhamgetty

“I think he just, even from an outside perspective, he showed us Americans what we’re about. He really drilled that into us, and I think that’s something that has helped us this last cycle.”

Balogun, who grew up in London, expressed wonder at everything there is to do and see in America.

He’s also been USMNT’s best player during a near-perfect 2-0 start to the World Cup, which will reach ‘golden generation’ status if the team advances past the quarterfinals.

A final Group D match vs Turkiye awaits on Thursday at Los Angeles Stadium, but Pochettino’s team has already won the group and qualified for a Round of 32 knockout match.

Balogun shares Pochettino’s American pride

“I’m very proud to be American and to represent America,” Balogun told US Soccer.

“My story has gotten a little bit of attention. It’s expected for our World Cup as well. It’s an opportunity for the fans to get to know about us as players. But nothing changes. I’m very proud to be here.”

So is Pochettino.

His early struggles with USMNT have been replaced by brilliant World Cup wins that have electrified the country.

By embracing his temporary status as an American coach, Pochettino is getting the best out of his USMNT players on a global stage.

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