Mauricio Pochettino Praises US Fans After Victory Against Australia
June 27, 2026 · Global
After the 2-0 win over Australia, coach Mauricio Pochettino compared the US fans' support to that of Argentina fans, highlighting the emotional connection and passion during the match.
United States men's national team coach, Mauricio Pochettino, felt the love from the fans after his team's victory at the 2026 World Cup. After the match against Australia which ended with a score of 2-0 at Seattle Stadium, Pochettino gave high praise to the fans, comparing them to one of the best fan bases in international football.
"It's amazing. I just said yesterday that Argentina has amazing fans, but I think we are comparable to Argentina," Pochettino told FOX Sports' Jenny Taft. "This is amazing, our fans. So happy for them."
The Stars and Stripes team gave fans in Seattle plenty of reasons to cheer, including a small earthquake recorded when Alex Freeman scored a goal, which gave the US a 2-0 lead. The goal helped seal victory for the US and secure their spot in the round of 32.
After the game, the crowd at Seattle Stadium began singing "Take Me Home, Country Roads", and the team joined in on the performance. Apart from that, the fans also chanted Pochettino's name, who seemed moved by the moment.
"Even though I'm not American, after the match, I felt emotional because the atmosphere was incredible. The fans were amazing," Pochettino told reporters. "The warm welcome and the way they supported us and celebrated every moment made us feel very emotional. The players felt the same way. I think it was a great connection and energy from this city and the team. They made us very proud.
“I think connecting with people is what we want. If we want to achieve good things, we need the support of our fans. The fans in Seattle, and across the country, support us and we feel that support. It's great for the team."
Aside from last Friday's game, Seattle has been known for its lively environment for years. In 2011, the crowd in Seattle made so much noise when Marshawn Lynch ran for the touchdown that sealed the Seahawks' playoff win against the New Orleans Saints, that it registered as a minor shock. Something similar happened last Seahawks postseason, with the crowd noise when Rashid Shaheed scored a touchdown on a kickoff return against the San Francisco 49ers also registering on the scale.