Ahead of USA's final group stage match with Türkiye, Mauricio Pochettino met with LA Lakers coach JJ Redick for a ceremonial jersey swap at Los Angeles Stadium.
It was the second time in short succession that Pochettino has met a luminary of the Los Angeles sports scene after a similar encounter with Los Angeles Chargers coach prior to the in their opener.
That Redick took time out of his busy schedule, with the Lakers all-consumed by this week's NBA Draft, to meet with Pochettino — and on his 42nd birthday to boot — shows the level of excitement that the Stars and Stripes have generated in the City of Angels since the outset of the global showpiece.
"I congratulated him because it is his birthday — as well," Pochettino told FIFA. "We were talking about how nice [Los Angeles Stadium is]. He said he is proud about the job that we are doing... we talked about the Draft. I asked if he is going to be here tomorrow but he said he had plans.
"It was very nice to meet him. We had a very friendly moment and a nice conversation."
As with the opener against Paraguay, a host of stars from the sports and entertainment world will flock to Los Angeles Stadium in the hopes of witnessing a historic third consecutive victory as USA aim to go out on a high in Group D. The atmosphere once again is expected to be electric following the wave of excitement that surrounds this team.
"It is going to be amazing to feel that support and that connection with the fans... this is the adrenaline you like to feel in your body when that connection happens," Pochettino added in the pre-match press conference.
USA have four players on yellow cards going into the Turkiye game — Tyler Adams, Folarin Balogun, Chris Richards and Antonee Robinson. Pochettino indicated they will all be rested so they will not be suspended for their Round of 32 clash.
He added that star player Christian Pulisic, who suffered a calf injury against Paraguay, could play a part at some stage.
Even with the squad rotation, Pochettino is determined to secure victory against an already-eliminated Türkiye side to maintain the growing momentum.
"We have achieved what we wanted first of all by qualifying for the next stage but now it is important to compete in the best way because we want to win tomorrow. We have qualified — but we want to win. We want to go to the next stage with three victories."
Sources: FIFA Official
