Pochettino Makes Desperate Appeal to USMNT Fans After Shocking Stadium Turnout
Mauricio Pochettino was captivated by American college football after witnessing the electric atmosphere at the season opener between Ohio State and Texas, and now he's urging U.S. men's national team fans to create similar energy.
Just one week following his college football experience, the USMNT manager stood at the press conference podium following a 2–0 defeat to South Korea, essentially imploring American supporters to show up and back the team on home turf.
"Please attend more [matches]," Pochettino appealed to fans following the game, marking the USMNT's seventh defeat against a top 30 nation in their past eight encounters. "My appeal to the supporters is that we will reach the World Cup in optimal form and we will be challenging to overcome."
Despite the USMNT hosting numerous home fixtures through the Concacaf Gold Cup, Nations League and international exhibitions, their own supporters are frequently outnumbered by fans backing opposing teams.
The American performances aren't exactly encouraging fresh support either.
Usually, it's Mexico or other North and South American rivals, but on Saturday, Sports Illustrated Stadium reached full capacity, with the majority backing South Korea, erupting with enthusiasm especially when LAFC star Son Heung-min received the ball.
"It felt like playing at home," South Korea manager Hong Myung-bo acknowledged through an interpreter. "I'm grateful to the supporters."
Not a New Challenge
Competing before "hostile crowds" during home matches has become routine for the USMNT, and for Pochettino, appealing to the fanbase has also become standard practice.
During the Concacaf Nations League in March, where the U.S. fell to Panama and Canada, he called on fans to remain patient after his squad was jeered off the field.
"I don't want supporters to become pessimistic," he stated then, before the USMNT faced more boos from Guatemala and Mexican fans on American territory at the Gold Cup during the summer. "We are all frustrated and the supporters should feel the disappointment that we didn't secure victory. But I don't want to permit [them] to become pessimistic, because I believe we possess quality players."
However, it was the concept of a college football environment that captured Pochettino's imagination. For him, it represents an aspiration for the USMNT heading into the 2026 World Cup on home territory, a tournament that will feature multiple college and NFL venues.
"The supporters have one year to understand how crucial fans are in soccer," Pochettino stated before the South Korea fixture. "I believe I feel some responsibility. It's our duty to communicate to all these individuals who may be more invested in another sport like American football. It's about trying to persuade them to share that enthusiasm with soccer.
"If we can transfer even a fraction to our sport, I believe our players will value it greatly, and certainly the supporters will assist us in accomplishing what we desire."
While Pochettino's vision of marching bands and crowds exceeding 70,000 may seem unrealistic currently, it has basis in reality, though it could present multiple obstacles. USMNT fixtures often feature expensive ticket prices, making them frequently unaffordable for casual supporters and those not attracted by the current performance level. Additionally, other deterrents often surround matches.
The Argentine manager is absolutely right in seeking stronger home support, but that represents a challenge more easily desired than accomplished, and remains a longstanding question regarding the USMNT, considering soccer's appeal within the diverse cultural landscape of the United States.
Nevertheless, if there exists an opportunity for expansion, it's currently. The World Cup approaches, and Pochettino–– in certain ways–– understands how significant it could be as a defining moment. Now, he simply wants supporters to witness the project, and perhaps then, results could begin improving on the field as well.
"We require the people. We need the supporters," Pochettino declared at the Gold Cup. "Football without fans? It's unthinkable."