Weve fallen hard for Team USA coach Mauricio Pocchetinobut a billionairebacker is the countrys real soccer hero

Everybody loves Poch!America can’t get enough of USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino, who has become the first in 96 years to lead our national team to two consecutive World Cup wins.Under the 54-year-old Argentinian, the once-beleaguered US Men’s team is riding high, even as their star Christian Pulisic is sidelined with a calf injury.After decisive wins over Paraguay and Australia, they’ve advanced to the knockout round — and the supporters are effusive in their appreciation.After the US’s 2-to-0 victory over Australia on June 19, the crowd at Seattle’s Lumen Field erupted into thunderous chants of “Pochettino! Pochettino!”On X, fans fawned over his game day fit and resemblance to Russell Crowe.

Some have even argued that he should be granted American citizenship.If the team continues to play at this level, Pochettino, who coached top European clubs Tottenham, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, seems poised to change the United States’ fortunes in soccer.And we can thank billionaire Citadel founder Ken Griffin for the consequential hire.You know — that self-made rich dude singled out by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani in a creepy video announcing a controversial pied-à-tierre tax.

Yeah, that guy.If he’s not giving oodles of money to hospitals like Sloan Kettering or museums like MOMA, Griffin is helping US Soccer splash out for a world-class manager.What a bastard!When Pochettino was hired in September of 2024, the US Soccer Federation acknowledged that his “appointment [was] supported in significant part by a philanthropic leadership gift from Kenneth C.

Griffin, Founder and CEO of Citadel and Founder of Griffin Catalyst.” They added that “additional support has been provided by Scott Goodwin, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Diameter, and several commercial partners.”A recent piece in The Athletic dove further into the coaching search, revealing more about the hedge funders’ role in making Poch the highest-paid employee in US...