Football's unlikely role in healing divided nation
Seattle: The United States have started the World Cup impressively as the expectation around what manager Mauricio Pochettino and this group of players can achieve continues to grow.
The scenes in Seattle after the US swatted aside a disappointing Socceroos outfit were one of togetherness and belief around a team which is inspiring a country to dream.
Folarin Balogun and Antonee Robinson celebrate after scoring. AP Photo/Ted S. Warren
Pochettino emphasised the positive energy and emotion the squad was feeling after the victory.
“Today even if I am not American after the game, I was emotional because I think the atmosphere was amazing. The fans were amazing, and the warm reception in the way that they support us and in the way they celebrate the victory, they make it feel very emotional, and the players are very emotional too,” Pochettino said.
This connection will be key in determining how far this team can go with much sterner tests awaiting them in the knockout rounds.
For now though, an unwavering mentality and trust in Pochettino has this talented squad looking beyond their best finish in the modern era of the World Cup: a quarter-final in 2002.
Having already achieved back-to-back World Cup victories for the first time since 1930, more history beckons for a team which is also hopeful of welcoming back AC Milan star Christian Pulisic for their last group game against Türkiye.
His absence has been softened by the performance of Ricardo Pepi, who was outstanding against the Socceroos with his movement and pace.
Alex Freeman, who scored the second goal against the Socceroos, reiterated how important Pulisic is but also highlighted the importance of the collective.
“We know how vital Christian is to the team and how much he can contribute to the game, for us (though) we have Ricardo Pepi, who came in and had an amazing game. I think that just shows how (good) our roster is,” Freeman said.
The feel-good football vibes are in complete contrast to the overall mood of a country which finds itself both politically and socially divided more than ever.
Walking the streets of Seattle, you are confronted with the growing financial gap which exists within America as the homelessness crisis hits home.
United States players celebrate their first goal with the fans. AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson
The latest Federal Reserve data indicates that the top one per cent of US households own 31.7 per cent of the nation’s wealth.
And so a tournament which has been shrouded in controversy - including high ticket prices, visa issues and the conflict with Iran - has only heightened the importance and unifying nature of Pochettino and his team.
Regardless of how far the US do go in this tournament, they are, for now, a light for a nation wrestling with its identity.
