Mauricio Pochettino Dives Into American College Football Culture Before Leading USMNT Into September Showdowns
Mauricio Pochettino, head coach of the U.S. men's national soccer team, has coached in some of the most intense sporting venues globally. However, he had never witnessed the spectacle that defines American college football on game day.
That changed on Saturday when the 53-year-old coach attended the marquee clash between the top-ranked University of Texas Longhorns and third-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes, making an appearance on Fox Sports' Big Noon Kickoff program.
Prior to the game's start, Pochettino had a meeting with Austin FC co-owner Matthew McConaughey and was featured on the jumbotron at Ohio Stadium, before joining the broadcast on the network that will also televise the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Joining Pochettino were Rob Stone, who has anchored soccer programming on Fox for multiple years, and former USMNT defender Alexi Lalas.
Pochettino acknowledged during the broadcast that this marked his inaugural football experience, and proceeded to guide the Buckeye supporters in their traditional "OH-IO" cheer outside the venue, with Lalas subsequently initiating a U-S-A chant.
"The key is to arrive in excellent form and remain competitive while allowing these (supporters) to feel tremendous pride in the squad and experience excitement," Pochettino stated during the broadcast. "I believe this will be an incredible occasion and I think it will be (essential) for the USA and soccer's future development. Our only desire is for our supporters to have enjoyment, similar to what they'll experience today."
Though such appearances might seem unusual for most soccer head coaches, Pochettino operates during a distinctive period with the USMNT, as both the team and sport work to build greater attention before next summer's competition.
Additionally, appearing on television during some of the weekend's highest-rated sporting broadcasts places the USMNT at the center of public attention, despite underwhelming performances during the Copa América, Concacaf Nations League and Concacaf Gold Cup.
This won't distract him from USMNT duties, however, as he prepares to announce a debated roster for exhibition matches against South Korea in Harrison, N.J., and Japan in Columbus, Ohio, even while missing highly-rated players Weston McKennie, Malik Tillman and others.
Following the September exhibitions, the USMNT will have just four international breaks remaining before launching the 2026 World Cup in Los Angeles on June 12, 2026.