Pochettino on the hunt for American World Cup history: can he match Bruce Arena?

Bruce Arena, now 74 years old and coach of the San Jose Earthquakes, remains the only coach to have taken American men's soccer to a quarterfinal of the World Cup. Now Mauricio Pochettino, the current American national coach, has the opportunity to equal that feat when the US faces strong Belgium on Monday.

"It is a huge advantage to play a World Cup on home soil," said Arena, who defeated a strong Portuguese team in the group stage in 2002. In comparison, he believes the current American squad has had an easier route; for example, Paraguay, Australia and Bosnia and Herzegovina were defeated relatively easily. They only lost to Turkey, although Pochettino then fielded his second team because placement was already certain.

While coaches such as Gregg Berhalter (Qatar), Jürgen Klinsmann (2014) and Bob Bradley (2010) did not get past the round of 16, Pochettino now has the opportunity to convert his status and experience - gained at top clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea - into sporting success for the US. Arena emphasizes the importance of home advantage and a favorable draw: "We have not yet hit a real top country, which makes the perspective positive."

A major opponent awaits us on Monday in Belgium. Arena: "Against Bosnia, our team really stood out in terms of quality, but that will not be the case against Belgium. They have at least six players who can make it difficult for our eleven."

This makes the upcoming quarter-final a true test of strength. Pochettino has achieved three victories in this tournament – ​​something no American coach has ever achieved before – and American fans are bravadoing with the motto: "Why not us?" The figures underline the growing interest; the game against Bosnia was the most watched American football game ever with 24.4 million viewers.

The comparison with surprising winners such as Greece (Euro 2004) and Leicester City (Premier League 2016) is not avoided. Arena: "If we could do it in 2002, with a less refined selection and far from home, why wouldn't this team at least equal that on home soil?"

Pochettino has managed to forge a team that revolves around collective performance and not individual stars. Arena, who in addition to his World Cup success won five MLS Cups and several other prizes, sees a unique opportunity for the US: "It's nice to play at home and feel some pressure. Hopefully they seize this moment against Belgium."

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