The FIFA World Cup has officially arrived to the United States of America, and the entire country seems to have wasted no time to get behind the USMNT under head coach Mauricio Pochettino. And if the former Tottenham Hotspur manager needed any help before their tournament opener against Paraguay, he has just received a special message from none other than New York Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan.
Sullivan, who helped Team USA end a 46-year drought U.S. by winning the gold medal at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, posted a special message to the Argentine, per a post on X by the Rangers.
IT'S TEAM USA MATCH DAY!
Best of luck to Coach Mauricio Pochettino and @USMNT in the World Cup! pic.twitter.com/raF52Ij8fJ
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 12, 2026
“Hi guys, it’s Mike Sullivan, head coach of the New York Rangers and the US Men’s Olympic Gold Medal hockey team. Just wanted to reach out and wish Mauricio Pochettino all the best in the World Cup, moving forward. Go USA, we will be rooting for you,” he said.
One of the three host nations alongside Canada and Mexico, the USMNT have Tim Ream as their captain for the tournament, and plenty of stars capable of contributing to a historic run at the World Cup. Team USA lost to the Netherlands in the 2022 World Cup in the Round of 16 and have not reached the semifinal stage since 1930, most notably reaching the quarterfinals back in 2002.
However, the talent that they have in addition to the home advantage means that this may be their chance at truly scripting history. Led by Christian Pulisic in attack, this is arguably the first time the USMNT boasts of so many stars who have proven themselves on the European stage.
The 24-year-old Folarin Balogun has made a name for himself in France, while Timothy Weah, son of former Ballon d’Or winner George Weah flanks a midfield that also comprises stars such as Gio Reyna and Juventus star Weston McKennie.
And while defensive question marks and the lack of certainty around the goalkeeping squad have gone hand-in-hand with Pochettino’s squad, Team USA have more than what it takes to once again get out of their group, which comprises of Paraguay, Australia and Turkey.
The post USMNT’s Maurico Pochettino gets Olympic Gold salute from Mike Sullivan before Paraguay match appeared first on ClutchPoints.
