World Cup Fans Go Wild for Mauricio Pochettino Singing ‘Country Roads’

What To Know
- 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.
- Pochettino has not yet confirmed if he will accept a contract extension.
The U.S. Men’s soccer team secured its spot in the World Cup Round of 16 on Wednesday night (July 1), and head coach Mauricio Pochettino got in on the post-game celebrations.

After defeating Bosnia-Herzegovina in the Round of 32 in Santa Clara, California, Pochettino joined his team on the pitch to celebrate the occasion, which included a stadium singalong. As has become a tradition in this World Cup, the crowd sang John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” at the top of their lungs.
The cameras caught the Argentine singing along to the anthem while hugging members of the coaching staff. Even the Fox commentators went silent so viewers could take in the scenes, which included midfielder Weston McKennie conducting the crowd.
When a reporter asked Pochettino after the game if he’s starting to feel American, he said, “I am 200 percent Argentine… but you feel part of something bigger. Things that we are building here. I enjoy being part of the amazing project.”
As for his singalong, Pochettino commented, “It’s impossible not to sing [“Country Roads”].”
Fans flooded social media with comments about Pochettino’s musical moment, with one Instagram user writing, “I mean, it’s a great song and John Denver rocks.”
“I’ll never ask Poch to be an American. And I appreciate what he’s doing with this team,” said another.
“I caught him signing it too, was so cool to see,” another added.
Another wrote, “It’s impossible not to join in.”
“If the USMNT needed a halftime anthem, they just got a coach with better vocals than our strikers,” one fan said.
“I love Poch, never let him leave, I feel like fans and him our bonding, he falling in love w this country,” wrote another.
The U.S. Men’s team’s 2-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina marked the squad’s first knockout round win since 2002. Since taking over as coach, Pochettino has led the team to 17 wins, 11 draws, and just two losses. The team finished at the top of Group D after defeating Paraguay and Australia in their opening two games.