USMNT Credits Pochettino for 3-Goal World Cup Win as Players Embrace 'American' Edge
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jun 17
USMNT Credits Pochettino for 3-Goal World Cup Win as Players Embrace 'American' Edge
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 17
Summary
Sebastian Berhalter said Mauricio Pochettino drilled an aggressive "we're American" mentality into the U.S. squad after its standout 2026 World Cup opener against Paraguay.
That message showed in a 3-goal display built on high pressing, accurate passing and constant forward movement—an approach players said reflects the manager's influence over recent matches.
Folarin Balogun supplied several sharp finishes, Chris Richards completed 100% of his passes, and Christian Pulisic, Malik Tillman and Antonee Robinson all drove the attack.
The performance eased doubts after Pochettino's shaky early tenure and, with Brazil and Spain less convincing in their openers, raised hopes the U.S. could make a deeper run.
Friday's group-stage match against Australia will test whether the U.S. can sustain the aggression and fluency that transformed its first game.