Mauricio Pochettino believes the USA’s World Cup campaign can create the same hysteria that is gripping New York as the Knicks chase a first NBA championship in 50 years.
Fans poured on to the streets of Manhattan earlier this week after the Knicks moved to within one win of a first title since 1973. Many of Pochettino’s players also lost their minds at their California base after New York’s stunning comeback win over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night.
There were even more remarkable scenes in Argentina – Pochettino’s homeland – four years ago, when Lionel Messi led his nation to World Cup glory.
Soccer has long struggled to captivate America like other sports but on the eve of the USMNT’s opening game against Paraguay in Los Angeles, the head coach was asked how his players can inspire the same hype.
‘I think it’s contagious and we need to play with passion, we need to win games – that’s very important… [we need] to make the fans feel proud about what they are seeing on the field,’ he said.
‘To create that emotional relationship and then you will do the rest – try to encourage the people to celebrate – but we need to win. The important thing is to win.
Mauricio Pochettino speaks ahead of the USA’s opening World Cup game against Paraguay
Fans poured on to the streets of New York this week as the Knicks edged closer to an NBA title
Four years ago, Argetina’s World Cup victory sparked chaotic scenes back in Buenos Aires
‘[If] we want to win, we need the support of our fans, and I know after Charlotte and Chicago [where the US played World Cup warm-up games] that the fans are with the team.’
Tyler Adams was among those to celebrate wildly after the Knicks’ victory on Wednesday night, with the USMNT midfielder admitting he ‘blacked out’ amid the chaos.
And, ahead of training on Thursday, Adams said he hopes New York’s remarkable run can inspire the USMNT this summer.
‘It’s pretty captivating,’ he said. ‘I think them kind of being the underdog coming out of the east and doing something special as they’re doing right now. I take inspiration, but I’m a New York Knicks fan, not everyone’s New York Knicks fans!’
Pochettino reiterated on Thursday that the US needs to win the World Cup for him to consider this summer a success. He also told his players not to expect any more motivational speeches, claiming that if they are not ready by now, it is too ‘late.’
The USA is co-hosting the World Cup alongside Mexico and Canada, with many hoping the tournament can transform the sport in North America forever.
And, speaking in LA on Thursday, Pochettino piled more pressure on his team by insisting: ‘For me, success is [to] win the World Cup… if we don’t arrive to the final and we don’t win the World Cup, to talk about successful is [wrong]. For me, in my mindset.’
The US has reached the quarterfinals only once since the very first World Cup in 1930, when America finished third. But Pochettino is not interested in looking for excuses.
Christian Pulisic will carry the hopes of the US Men’s National Team this summer
‘Then if you say to me: “Oh, the conditions” or “we play against good teams, good national teams…” okay, okay, okay, okay,’ he said.
‘But when we signed here it is because we wanted to come here and to be involved in the unique event. But with the possibility to compete well and believing in winning.’
Pochettino revealed that he has already chosen his starting XI for the game against Paraguay. He confirmed that defender Chris Richards is available after injury but did not say who will start in goal between Matt Turner and Matt Freese.
‘I don’t know if they know,’ Pochettino said. ‘Because if I tell [you] if they know, you will start to call [them to find out]!’
Victory over Paraguay would give the USA a huge chance of reaching the knockout stages ahead of games against Australia and Turkey.
