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USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino adds baseball to his American adventure
USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino adds baseball to his American adventure
Nancy Armour, USA TODAYFri, Jul 3, 2026·3 min readSEATTLE — First country music, now baseball. Mauricio Pochettino is getting the full American experience at this World Cup.
The U.S. men's national team coach threw out the first pitch at the Seattle Mariners game against the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday, July 3. Didn't do too badly, either.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementStanding in front of the mound in a Mariners jersey, Pochettino's throw to Seattle manager Dan Wilson was right on target. Maybe not a perfect strike, but he didn't skip the ball in the dirt or throw it over Wilson's head.
The crowd and USMNT players cheered, and Pochettino and Wilson exchanged a handshake.
"Thank you so much," Pochettino told the crowd. "It's amazing to be again here and feel your support. This is an amazing city, it's a soccer city."
The USMNT plays Belgium in a round-of-16 game on Monday, July 6, at Lumen Field, which is right across the street from the Mariners ballpark. This is the U.S. men's second trip to Seattle, having beaten Australia here during the group stage.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIn addition to Pochettino throwing out the first pitch, the USMNT was recognized before the game. The players were introduced individually, walking out on a red carpet beneath an archway of flags. Several of the players took videos and photos as they stood behind the mound, and several carried baseballs.
The last player to be introduced was Cristian Roldan, who played at the University of Washington and now plays for the Seattle Sounders. Roldan came onto the field carrying the Mariners Trident, which Seattle players hoist after hitting a home run.
"Thank you Seattle!" Roldan said. "Thank you for the love and support. Let's go win a World Cup!"
Mauricio Pochettino visited the ballpark as members of the USMNT took in a night at a Seattle Mariners game.See moments from the visit as players and coaches spent time away from the World Cup.Above, Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino of the United States National Soccer Team throws out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on July 03, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.
(Olivia Vanni, Getty Images)Mauricio Pochettino throws first pitch as USMNT hits the Mariners game
Mauricio Pochettino throws first pitch as USMNT hits the Mariners game
Mauricio Pochettino throws first pitch as USMNT hits the Mariners game
Mauricio Pochettino throws first pitch as USMNT hits the Mariners game
Mauricio Pochettino throws first pitch as USMNT hits the Mariners game
Mauricio Pochettino throws first pitch as USMNT hits the Mariners game
Mauricio Pochettino throws first pitch as USMNT hits the Mariners game
Mariners players came onto the field carrying U.S. flags and the two teams posed with photos. "Take Me Home, Country Roads," which has become the USMNT's anthem at this World Cup, played as the team walked off the field.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementPochettino throwing out a pitch at a baseball game is his latest foray into American culture.
Though he was born and raised in Argentina and has spent much of his adult life in Europe, he's fully embraced the United States since becoming the USMNT coach. He's called Chick-fil-A "amazing," and is now a big fan of country music. You'll hear Ella Langley playing in his office, and he belts out "Country Roads" as loud as anyone after games.
"He listens to more country music than anyone now," Gio Reyna told USA TODAY Sports. "I think it's really cool for him to dive into the American culture. It's cool of him to really fall in love with something that maybe he'd never heard at all before before coming to America."
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