How Pochettino has US believing they can be World Cup winners

How Pochettino has US believing they can be World Cup winnersImage source, AFP via Getty ImagesImage caption, Mauricio Pochettino signed a two-year contract as USA boss in 2024ByGary RoseBBC Sport journalist in Los AngelesPublished1 minute agoComments"Why not us?"When Mauricio Pochettino suggested in March that the USA could be potential winners of this summer's World Cup, few might have believed him.For even though they have been to nine of the past 10 World Cups - including this one - they have gone beyond the last 16 only once in that period, reaching the quarter-finals in 2002. Their best showing remains a semi-final appearance at the very first World Cup in 1930.But this USA side, led by former Tottenham boss Pochettino, have not only sealed their place in the knockouts of this World Cup with two wins from two, but have also caught the eye with an exciting, attacking brand of football.Football and non-football fans in the States are starting to ask the same question: "Why not us?"How Pochettino has transformed a nationImage source, AFP via Getty ImagesImage caption, Pochettino has managed to unify the USA fans and players in believing they can go far at this World CupIn the minutes after the USA's 2-0 win against Australia in their second Group D match in Seattle last week, Pochettino had to pause during a pitchside interview as the American fans loudly serenaded him.Before the tournament, there seemed an uncertainty of feeling towards the Argentine coach, particularly as his commitment to the national team only went to the end of this World Cup.But with the USA's win over Australia following a 4-1 victory over Paraguay, he now seems to have near-universal backing, having built a team mixing exciting young talent with established performers in Europe's top leagues - one who look capable of upsetting the odds in the coming weeks.Pochettino has brought belief and aggression, having worked hard to shed the mentality that the...