USMNT Coach Gets Special MLB Spotlight Before Belgium Test

USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino drew major attention from Major League Baseball before the United States’ World Cup Round of 16 match against Belgium. On Friday, July 3, at T-Mobile Park, Pochettino threw a ceremonial first pitch for the Seattle Mariners against the Toronto Blue Jays, wearing the Mariners’ white jersey and joined by USMNT stars. The event preceded a high-stakes opener for the Americans, who face Belgium on Monday, with a win sending them to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002. The U.S. enters with a 7-0-0 record at Seattle, including a 2-0 group-stage win over Australia. A key boost came after FIFA overturned Folarin Balogun’s one-match suspension; he will be available following a red-card decision that was converted to a one-year probation under Article 27. Captain Christian Pulisic said the squad learned of the change on Sunday while traveling to training.