Mauricio Pochettino has coached in some of the most intense soccer atmospheres on the planet — from the cauldron of El Clásico to the raucous stands of the Premier League, and obviously the fanatical passion of his native Argentina. But after the USMNT’s 2-0 win over Australia on Friday in Seattle, he put American fans in some pretty elite company.
“Amazing, I was saying yesterday Argentina have amazing fans, but I think we are matching Argentina,” Pochettino said after the match, via Fox Sports. “It’s amazing, our fans. I am so happy for them.”
That’s not just coach speak. Argentina’s fanbase is legendary — the songs, the flags, the sheer relentlessness. For Pochettino to say U.S. supporters are on that level is something. And the crowd in Seattle definitely showed up. The stadium was loud, engaged, and stayed with the team through a physically grueling game against a tough Australian side.
A win built on grit, not just star power
The USMNT didn’t have Christian Pulisic for this one. He was held out — the team hasn’t said exactly why, though Pochettino hinted it wasn’t anything too serious. “Always difficult, because we want to have all the players. He’s an important player for us, Christian, but as a team, it wasn’t possible today for him to play. We hope that next game, he’ll be available.”
But even without their biggest name, the U.S. controlled the game. They were the better team from the start. Alex Freeman put the second goal in to make it 2-0, and the defense held firm. This wasn’t a lucky win. It was a statement that this team can grind out results even when the lineup isn’t full strength.
Pochettino called it “a fantastic game” and noted they “dominated” a “very tough, tough team.” He also made a point about depth. “If we want to win the competition, we need the whole team, and all the players need to be important.” That’s a clear message: nobody’s bigger than the group, but he made sure to add that Pulisic is “one of the best players in the world” and he hopes the star is back on the pitch soon.
What’s next for the USMNT?
The win locks up a spot in the knockout stage for the U.S. Group D is still fluid. If Paraguay beats or ties Turkey, the Americans win the group outright. Either way, they’re moving on, and they’re doing it with some real momentum.
It’s early days under Pochettino, but the vibe is different. The team looks organized, confident, and the fans are matching the energy. That’s not nothing.
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