The USMNT is moving on to the knockout stage at the 2026 World Cup, and Weston McKennie made sure everyone knew it. After the team’s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina — a result that punched their ticket to the Round of 16 — the bus ride back turned into an impromptu singalong.
A video that’s been ripping around social media shows McKennie belting out Ella Langley’s country track “Choosin’ Texas” at full volume, surrounded by teammates who are clearly in a good mood. The 27-year-old midfielder led the bus in a loose, joyful moment that’s become the kind of viral content fans love to see — a team that’s locked in, loose, and having fun.
The win wasn’t a masterpiece, but it didn’t need to be. The USMNT did what it had to do against a Bosnia team that made things scrappy for long stretches. Now the real test begins. Up next is Belgium, a team that just pulled off a wild comeback against Senegal to book their own spot in the knockout round. That game is set for July 6, and the stakes will be entirely different.
Shaq Moore on What Pochettino Brings to the Room
A few days before the win, former USMNT defender Shaq Moore sat down with Clutchpoints and opened up about what it’s like playing under Mauricio Pochettino. Moore didn’t hold back on the manager’s approach, especially the intensity he demands without the ball.
“I think it’s just the demanding part that he tries to bring out of everyone, whether that’s with the ball, without the ball,” Moore said. “Obviously he’s a respected coach in world football. So definitely the demand that he has, the intensity that he plays with without the ball.”
Moore also noted that Pochettino balances that intensity with freedom. “You know, you never wanna take a break. If you lose it, you wanna fight back and get it back as quickly as possible. Also gives you a lot of freedom with the ball, right? So he gives you freedom to make mistakes. Obviously not in your own box, you know, little stuff like that, but he does give you freedom to play.”
The former defender pointed to Pochettino’s resume — managing some of the biggest clubs in Europe — as a reason the locker room buys in quickly. “He’s coached some of the biggest teams in the world. So that experience bringing over to our team, you know, that demands respect. Instantly, you know when a guy of that stature comes to coach your team.”
Moore ended with a vote of confidence for what this group can accomplish. “I think he’s definitely a good coach. I think they’re in a good position to do something big at this World Cup.”
Whether that belief translates into a deep run remains to be seen. But for one night at least, the bus was loud, the vibes were good, and McKennie was the star of a different kind of show.
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