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USMNT Coach's New Look Draws Comparison to Iconic TV Coach
US men's national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino is leading his first round of training sessions in Texas with the team ahead of friendlies with Panama and Mexico. Photos from training have drawn online comparisons to one of the most iconic TV coaches in the US.
Men in Blazers highlighted Pochettino's fashion and how he undeniably looks like Coach Eric Taylor from Friday Night Lights. "Just two guys coaching ball in Texas."
He might not have Coach Taylor's iconic band strap, but the comparison is uncanny. Now, if only Pochettino can deliver the same silverware for the USMNT that Taylor did with the Dillon Panthers.
Just two guys coaching ball in Texas 😎 pic.twitter.com/sa7BE86w5w
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) October 11, 2024
USMNT Coach's New Look Draws Comparison to Iconic TV Coach
Does that make Christian Pulisic the Matt Saracen of the team?
Not to mention, if there's ever a TV or movie adaptation telling Pochettino's story of how he led the USMNT to glory at the 2026 World Cup, Kyle Chandler has to be the odds-on favorite to portray the Argentine.
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USMNT faces off against off against Panama at 9 p.m. on Oct. 12 before facing its biggest CONCACAF rival, Mexico, on Oct. 15. Pochettino will want to endear himself to the fan base early by playing an exciting brand of soccer. There's less than two years to go until the 2026 World Cup on home soil, is the motto "Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose?"
Or is it, "Clear eyes, full hearts, just make it to the knockout stage please?"
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Max Mallow is an editor for Sports Illustrated Soccer. An avid supporter of Arsenal, he spends way too much time trying to build up his Ultimate Team squad in EA FC each year while just having enough time to tweet anytime an Arsenal player scores a goal.