US coach Pochettino '200% Argentine' but embraces Americana / Photo: Charlotte Wilson - GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
US coach Pochettino '200% Argentine' but embraces Americana
Mauricio Pochettino may be "200 percent Argentine" but the US coach has thrown himself into American culture, joyfully belting out "Take Me Home, Country Roads" as his team celebrated their World Cup win over Bosnia.
"When that song starts to sound in the stadium, it's impossible not to sing. It's impossible!" Pochettino told a press conference in Santa Clara, California after Wednesday's 2-0 victory.
"Because it's an amazing song, no? It's very emotional. And after winning again, no?" said the coach.
Though he hails from the tiny, dusty town of Murphy in Argentina's Santa Fe region, some 5,000 miles from West Virginia, the US appears to be a perfect cultural fit for Pochettino.
"Poch" has been rapturously embraced by US soccer fans, and reciprocated the love-in by leaping over advertising barriers to embrace supporters after reaching the round-of-16.
Pochettino's players say he has dived into his new team's culture too.
"I'm in his office yesterday, he's listening to country music and things -- it's funny to see," chuckled star US forward Christian Pulisic recently.
"It feels like he's really in tune with it."
US striker Folarin Balogun, also something of an outsider having been raised in London by British-Nigerian parents, has noticed too.
"He's come in and really wanted to understand it from the player's point of view, what it means and what it feels like to be American. He's always asking questions," said Balogun.
"He might be watching a basketball game or something, and he's intrigued, and he wants to learn more," said Balogun, who emulated NBA star LeBron James's "Silencer" celebration after scoring Wednesday.
- 'Gives you chills' -
An elite manager who took Tottenham Hotspur to the Champions League final, and coached Lionel Messi and Neymar at Paris Saint-Germain, Pochettino has gamely engaged with the more playful duties of his new gig.
Before the US opening game against Paraguay, he sat down for an interview with Sesame Street's Grover.
"I am 200 per cent Argentine... But you feel part of something bigger. Things that we are building. I enjoy being part of the amazing project," said Pochettino.
He added: "I love to be involved and be part of the party."
As for "Take Me Home, Country Roads," the John Denver classic has become an unofficial team anthem.
After a 2-0 victory over Australia in Seattle, footage of Pulisic and other players singing along with 70,000 fans went viral.
"They played a song that we all know, and I can't explain it -- it just gives you chills, you know?" said Pulisic.
It was one of the songs US soccer officials picked when asked by FIFA to submit two victory tracks for post-match stadium celebrations.
The other is "Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi. Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" was considered but had been snapped up by England.
While Pochettino is now fully aboard the "Country Roads" bandwagon, his players recognize the boss is still Argentine first and foremost.
"He brings his Argentinian culture," said Pulisic.
"The American culture is very unique. Sometimes when someone will say something to him in a meeting... super American slang, he's like, 'huh?'
"I just find it so funny."
O.Larsson--RTC
