In the press conference following the USMNT’s rousing 2-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina Mauricio Pochettino was asked if he was perhaps turning a tiny, little bit American.
“I am 200% Argentine,” the coach responded, wearing a broad smile, basking in the glow of a hard-fought but well-executed victory.
Pochettino, who was seen singing along to John Denver’s “Country Roads” with his team and thousands of fans inside Levi’s Stadium after the game, is clearly reveling this part of the 2026 World Cup journey.
“When you feel part of something bigger, things that we are building here, I enjoy being part of that amazing project,” Pochettino continued. “But I am 200% Argentino, I’m sorry. I am not going to lie.”
The bond between this squad and coach is strong, indeed it is one of its greatest strengths.
Perhaps the press conference question missed a bigger, more salient quandary.
Could we ask perhaps whether this team is absorbing some element of Pochettino rather than the other way around?
The win over Bosnia certainly underlined how much this team has grown under his watch.
The US were positive throughout, maintained pressure and focus after seeing a 31st minute Folarin Balogun goal ruled out for offside and a first-half stoppage time effort hit the bar. When Balogun opened the scoring at the end of the first half the US continued to press and play adventurously in the early parts of the second half.
Historically, such incidents may have seen the US question themselves, a little doubt creeping into the decision-making of even senior players. But this team has developed a deeper resolve.
It seems to grow, rather than shrink, in the face of adversity.
After Balogun was harshly sent off for an innocuous looking challenge in the 64th minute US heads didn’t drop, they didn’t relent, and they were worthy of Malik Tillman’s empathic and instantly iconic free kick that made it 2-0.
In the face of some eventual Bosnia pressure, Chris Richards was alert and authoritative at the heart of the US backline. The rest of the team didn’t play like they were a man down but seemed rather to revel in the disadvantage.
Pochettino’s former Argentina teammate, legendary Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone, once said that “suffering is necessary in football.” The message being that winning requires sacrifice and can sometimes be uncomfortable.
Until recently it was quite legitimate to ask how readily the USMNT understood or accepted suffering as either a concept or a necessary reality. How much of this is due to the risk-averse structure of so much of the US soccer system is a question for another day. But there are certainly elements of the domestic soccer landscape that seem set up to minimize suffering. And perhaps that is limiting the national team.
Pochettino only became US coach in September 2024. His early days in the job were dominated by frustration. Tetchy press conferences, questions about players and his “first choice squad,” and the structure the new coach was operating within overshadowed occasional flashes of on-field quality.
Until summer 2025, Pochettino, or more specifically his squad, appeared to be operating within themselves, constrained by psychological pressures as opposed to anything technical or tactical.
The 2025 Gold Cup, where the US finished second, seemed to dissipate much of the negativity surrounding the team and reminded some observers, who should have known better, that Pochettino was an elite coach with experience and methods that could benefit the US.
In this World Cup the US has played with confidence, grit and assuredness. Qualities the team’s coach has long adhered to and represents.
Pochettino didn’t necessarily see himself represented in this team in the earliest parts of his tenure. That is changing now. When he looks his players in the eye they don’t blink.
Against Bosnia the US played like a team with belief in itself and faith in its coach. With ten men in Santa Clara, they maintained discipline, focus and attacking intent.
This first victory in a World Cup knockout game since the 2002 win over Mexico should strengthen this squad’s resolve as they face Belgium for a place in the 2026 quarter finals.
“That was the moment to show to everyone and to show ourselves that it’s not only empty words when we say we are a family,” said Pochettino of the response to Balogun’s red card. “The team showed the qualities, the capacity to compete, to fight for each other. So proud, so proud about the players. They are the heroes and they deserve all the credit.”
Pochettino might be 200% Argentine. But perhaps his USMNT is becoming a little bit Argentine, too. Recent performances show that is no bad thing and may even become historic.
This US team understands that suffering is necessary. And is not afraid to show it.