Record-Breaking Coach
New USMNT Coach Mauricio Pochettino Becomes All-Time Winningest in World Cup History
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Two weeks ago, Mauricio Pochettino had never coached a single World Cup game. Now he holds a record no coach in U.S. men's soccer history has ever reached. With a 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina on July 1, Pochettino earned his third World Cup victory, more than any other USMNT head coach ever, according to Yahoo Sports.
The U.S. advances to the Round of 16 to face Belgium on July 6 in Seattle. It is the deepest World Cup run for the program since 2002. The win came at a cost, though — star forward Folarin Balogun was sent off in the 64th minute and will miss the next match, per USA Today.
Three Wins That Rewrote the Record Books
Before Pochettino, the USMNT World Cup wins record was just two. Bruce Arena set it in 2002 with wins over Portugal and Mexico. Robert Millar matched it all the way back in 1930. Pochettino broke it in less than three weeks of tournament play, according to Yahoo Sports.
The run started with a 4-1 demolition of Paraguay on June 12 at SoFi Stadium. Balogun scored twice. The U.S. then beat Australia 2-0 on June 19 in Seattle to lock up a knockout berth. A rotated squad lost 3-2 to Türkiye on June 25 in a dead-rubber group finale, then closed out Bosnia in the Round of 32.
Balogun's Red Card Clouds a Big Win
Balogun was the tournament's standout player heading into the Bosnia match, with three goals in the group stage. But a challenge on Tarik Muharemovic in the 64th minute drew a red card from referee Raphael Claus, who reviewed the footage and ruled it a "serious foul," per Sports Illustrated.
The U.S. held on with 10 men for 25 minutes. Malik Tillman sealed the result with a free kick in the 82nd minute. LeBron James took notice — he posted praise for Balogun's earlier celebration on X, suggesting the goal "would go down in history," according to New York Post.
How a Billionaire and a Hockey Film Built This Team
Pochettino was hired in September 2024, weeks after Gregg Berhalter was fired following a group-stage exit at the 2024 Copa América on home soil. U.S. Soccer used private money to pay his $6.04 million annual salary — the highest in program history. Hedge fund manager Scott Goodwin brought in Citadel founder Ken Griffin to fund the hire, per USA Today.
Griffin had one reported condition: Pochettino had to watch *Miracle*, the film about the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team, to embrace the "Why not us?" underdog spirit. Pochettino entered the World Cup with a pre-tournament record of 13 wins, 7 draws, and 2 losses. He has preached a simple philosophy since day one: "Relaxation brings concentration."
Belgium Awaits as the U.S. Eyes the Quarterfinals
The U.S. now faces Belgium on July 6 in Seattle in the Round of 16. A win would put the team in the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002. Captain Christian Pulisic, who missed time with a calf injury, returned for the Bosnia game and said, "I felt great... definitely ready to go. We're ready for this moment," per Yahoo Sports.
The team heads into that match shorthanded. Balogun serves a one-game suspension. Center back Mark McKenzie is also dealing with a foot injury. Pochettino downplayed expectations after the Bosnia win, saying, "I don't believe that we are the favorite team because... we have seen how difficult it is for everyone."
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