Mauricio Pochettino, head coach of the US men's national team, has stated that the United States lacks a deep emotional connection with soccer, contrasting it with the strong ties to basketball and American football. In a recent podcast appearance on Stick To Football, released on Thursday, Pochettino defended his team's prospects for this summer's World Cup but questioned the level of excitement among the American public.
Emotional relationship with soccer
Pochettino explained that in countries like Argentina, children develop an emotional bond with soccer from a very young age, often before they can walk. He noted that in the US, the primary sports are basketball and American football, where children first learn to handle a ball with their hands. "That is the problem," he said. "The relationship is with basketball or American football. They take the ball with their hands, first thing. [Elsewhere] you kick the ball with your feet."
Need for public playing spaces
The Argentine coach emphasized the importance of creating publicly accessible playing areas for children, rather than relying solely on clubs and organized teams. He cited his own childhood experiences of playing with friends as foundational to his love for the game. This point arose from a dinner conversation with wealthy individuals who questioned why a nation as populous as the US has not produced a player like Lionel Messi.
World Cup expectations
Despite his reservations about the sport's popularity, Pochettino remains optimistic about the US team's chances at the co-hosted World Cup. When asked by Gary Neville about reaching the quarter-finals as a benchmark for success, Pochettino responded with an anecdote about meeting President Donald Trump before the draw. "He asked me, 'Do you think, coach, that we can win?' I said of course … Why not? Why not! It's all about your belief." He cited examples like Morocco reaching the semi-finals in Qatar and South Korea's run in 2002, concluding: "All is possible in football."
Pochettino has been making numerous podcast appearances since taking the US job, reflecting on his club career as he prepares for the World Cup, after which he is expected to leave the program.
