SEATTLE — Mauricio Pochettino has become such a huge icon at the helm of the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) during this World Cup that he recently had to humorously clarify that he is still “100% Argentine.” However, on Friday night, the coach experienced the ultimate American experience: taking the mound at a Major League Baseball stadium.
Taking advantage of the Fourth of July holiday weekend, Pochettino threw out the ceremonial first pitch at T-Mobile Park before the electrifying American League matchup between the Seattle Mariners and the Toronto Blue Jays.
The event served as the perfect prelude to the most important match of this generation for the USMNT: their World Cup Round of 16 clash against Belgium, scheduled for this Monday next to the baseball stadium at Lumen Field (temporarily named Seattle Stadium).
Special training on the diamond… and in goal
👀 @Mariners https://t.co/BI3UsMukp1 pic.twitter.com/wzzcjBqL2S
— U.S. Soccer Men’s National Team (@USMNT) July 3, 2026
The World Cup manager didn’t take the mound unprepared. That morning, during the national team’s practice at the University of Washington’s Husky Soccer Stadium, Pochettino put on a baseball glove for the first time.
His personal pitching coach was none other than his backup goalkeeper, Matt Turner. The goalkeeper, who played baseball in high school and had already thrown out the first pitch at an Angels game weeks earlier, gave him some key tips on pitching mechanics. Rumor had it that the Argentine had never even touched a baseball until that day, but the practice paid off.
Red Carpet, the Trident, and a Perfect Pitch
Come nightfall, T-Mobile Park was decked out in its finest. Nearly 70 members of the U.S. camp, including the entire roster, were introduced one by one as they paraded down a red carpet toward the infield.
Captain Christian Pulisic received a huge ovation, but the loudest applause was reserved for Seattle Sounders local hero Christian Roldan, who took the field wielding the Mariners’ famous home run trident.
Finally, the highlight of the event arrived. Dressed in a Mariners jersey, Pochettino stood on the diamond and threw a superb strike straight to Seattle manager Dan Wilson’s mascot, sending the stands into a frenzy.
“[Seattle] is a great city; it’s a city that really loves soccer. Thank you very much,” Pochettino said briefly as he took the microphone.
Baseball, Rivalry, and “Country Roads”
The ceremonial event concluded with a group photo featuring the Mariners players—many waving American flags—and the USMNT players. The stadium echoed with chants of “U-S-A!” and a massive sing-along to John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” a song that has become the national team’s victory anthem in this World Cup.
The national team’s presence added an extra burst of energy to a series that was already tense. Historically, the Blue Jays’ visits to Seattle trigger a veritable “Canadian invasion” of fans crossing the border from Vancouver. Add to that the fact that the matchup had the feel of a rematch from the American League Championship Series (ALCS), and the atmosphere was simply unbeatable.
Now, Pochettino and his players will swap the diamond for the World Cup turf. With a historic record
