The USMNT received a call from President Trump on the eve of their World Cup opening game against Paraguay.
Trump told Mauricio Pochettino and his players that he believes the USA has a ‘really good chance of going all the way.’
The USA will begin its campaign in this summer’s home World Cup against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium on Friday night.
Trump told Pochettino: ‘Well I just called to say you’re a fantastic guy and a fantastic coach. I know all about your record and your success and I know how great the players are.
‘I think you have a really good chance of going all the way. So I just want to wish you a lot of luck.’
The USMNT coach responded: ‘Thank you so much for your support, Mr President and we are going to do everything to make you proud and all the people here in this country.’
The USMNT received a call from President Trump on the eve of their World Cup opener
He told coach Mauricio Pochettino: ‘I think you have a really good chance of going all the way’
The call was organized by Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House World Cup Task Force, who was with the team in California.
He told the president: ‘I’m standing in front of 26 champions and a great coach, Coach Pochettino, that are ready to go and run through a wall.’
Trump was initially expected to attend the USMNT’s opening game but Giuliani confirmed on Thursday that he will not be at SoFi Stadium.
‘His scheduling is tight. But I know he’s going to be engaged throughout this World Cup,’ Giuliani told TalkSPORT.
‘But the one thing, having known President Trump for now 30 years, what I can tell you is: expect the unexpected. Always expect a cliffhanger with him.
‘Throughout the course of this tournament, it wouldn’t surprise me if we see him engage more and more with the World Cup.’
The State Department have said Secretary of State Marco Rubio will attend Friday’s game against Paraguay, along with Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin.
Trump was among the crowd at Madison Square Garden for Game 3 of the New York Knicks-San Antonio Spurs series on Monday night. The president was booed by many fans and even appeared to doze off during the game.
