Gathered around a laptop, the USMNT create their World Cup journey’s first memeable moment

Mauricio Pochettino used a mid-half water break to do an impromptu video session, adding yet another wrinkle to a controversial rule change The US men’s national team’s 3-2 win against Senegal means plenty in the context of the Americans’ warm-up for the World Cup. But it was a seemingly throwaway moment midway through the first half that captured many observers’ attention: Head coach Mauricio Pochettino, crouched on the ground by the US bench, motioning toward a laptop unsteadily held by an assistant, a group of players behind him rapt in attention. “It was a new one for sure,” a laughing US defender Mark McKenzie said of the scene, which more closely resembled what you might see during a time-out in the NBA than in any soccer match, let alone a top-class international on the eve of the World Cup. Continue reading...

Alexander Abnos with Pablo Iglesias Maurer in Charlotte, North Carolina · Sun, May 31, 2026, 6:00 PM
US news | The Guardian

Mauricio Pochettino used a mid-half water break to do an impromptu video session, adding yet another wrinkle to a controversial rule change

The US men’s national team’s 3-2 win against Senegal means plenty in the context of the Americans’ warm-up for the World Cup. But it was a seemingly throwaway moment midway through the first half that captured many observers’ attention: Head coach Mauricio Pochettino, crouched on the ground by the US bench, motioning toward a laptop unsteadily held by an assistant, a group of players behind him rapt in attention.

“It was a new one for sure,” a laughing US defender Mark McKenzie said of the scene, which more closely resembled what you might see during a time-out in the NBA than in any soccer match, let alone a top-class international on the eve of the World Cup.

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