USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino delivered an emotional statement following his team's 2-0 victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup Round of 16. Pochettino stated, "I am very proud. The players deserved this result. The way we fought with a very good, strong team is impressive."
He praised his players, staff, and the fans for their significant support. When asked about the team's title ambitions, Pochettino responded with the phrase "Why not us?", a slogan often associated with underdog teams believing in their ability to achieve unexpected success.
The USA will now face Belgium in the quarter-finals, after Belgium defeated Senegal 3-2 in extra time.
Mauricio Pochettino, 54 years old in 2026, played as a centre-back. He began his professional career with Newell’s Old Boys in 1989, then transferred to Espanyol in 1994. He earned 20 caps for the Argentina national team, featuring at the 1999 Copa América and the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Pochettino is the current head coach of the United States men’s national team, having previously led Espanyol, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, and Paris Saint-Germain.