DANA POINT, Calif. — Mauricio Pochettino is sitting in his makeshift office at the U.S. World Cup team's hotel, the French doors opened to a patio overlooking the sun stubbornly dipping over the Pacific.
Four lemons sit in a bowl, a practice the 54-year-old Argentine believes absorbs negative energy. An unused surfboard leans in the corner, decorated in ocean-themed designs by the hotel's executive sous chef, who is also an artist.
Down the bluff and in the blue water, surfers are catching the day's last waves before darkness descends. Even the seagulls seem happy.
This isn't heaven, but it's just around the corner from it.
Pochettino's 20-month coaching project is also in a state of bliss. His U.S. squad began the World Cup with two impressive victories and clinched first place in Group D with one match to spare. The Americans will play winless Turkiye on Thursday at SoFi Stadium before facing a third-place team in the round of 32 on July 1 in Santa Clara, California.
Four lemons sit in a bowl, a practice the 54-year-old Argentine believes absorbs negative energy. An unused surfboard leans in the corner, decorated in ocean-themed designs by the hotel's executive sous chef, who is also an artist.
Down the bluff and in the blue water, surfers are catching the day's last waves before darkness descends. Even the seagulls seem happy.
This isn't heaven, but it's just around the corner from it.
Pochettino's 20-month coaching project is also in a state of bliss. His U.S. squad began the World Cup with two impressive victories and clinched first place in Group D with one match to spare. The Americans will play winless Turkiye on Thursday at SoFi Stadium before facing a third-place team in the round of 32 on July 1 in Santa Clara, California.
2 months ago
