Mauricio Pochettino faced a challenge on Friday, or should we say, an additional challenge alongside the preparations for the match against Belgium. The United States National Team (USMNT) coach, who is an Argentinian national, went to throw out the first pitch against the Seattle Mariners, where his team's Round of 16 match will be played at nearby Lumen Field.
Pochettino had no baseball experience, which put him at risk of joining the 50 Cent Hall of Fame. However, his concerns were unfounded. Pochettino, 54, stood back and threw a fairly good first pitch. It was a bit high and round, but simple enough that at least 90% of first pitch throwers would take it.
Pochettino's entire team stood behind him as he threw the pitch to Mariners coach Dan Wilson. There was a lot of preparation, anxiety and discussion before that pitch. A U.S. Soccer representative told reporters before Friday's practice that there had been discussion about whether Pochettino would throw from the mound or in front of the mound.
"I don't want to say too much but I think baseball is not a popular sport in Argentina, so we'll see," USMTA midfielder Tyler Adams told Fox Sports at noon.
Pochettino got some help from his players. Goalie Matt Turner was seen teaching him the technique of throwing a baseball, the coach was also quite earnest in the process. The results speak for themselves. The USMNT coach can really throw the baseball.
The big question of course is whether he can field a competitive team against Belgium without forward Folarin Balogun on Monday. This World Cup has been a huge success for Pochettino so far, so much so that he has been offered a contract extension until 2030, and with an extra win he could match the country's best performance in the first World Cup in 1930.
