IRVINE, Calif. — Mauricio Pochettino spent most of his first 18 months as the U.S. men’s national team’s manager trying, begging and imploring anyone who would listen to treat every game as if it was the World Cup.

Mauricio Pochettino came out with all guns blazing at his post-match press conference after the USA suffered a last-gasp defeat to Turkey.

The USMNT advanced to the World Cup Round of 16 with a 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino joined fans and players in singing “Take Me Home, Country Roads” during post-game celebrations.

Mauricio Pochettino showed his emotions early Monday night. Following Belgium’s second goal of the Round of 16 World Cup matchup, the U.S. men’s national team coach was visibly frustrated, kicking a set of Powerade bottles near the bench as his opponent took the lead yet again.

Before moving his attention to the knockout round of the World Cup, U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino had to resolve one issue from the group stage

Folarin Balogun is in the United States’ starting lineup for a World Cup round of 16 match against Belgium after his red-card suspension was lifted by FIFA in a decision that sparked an uproar across