Mauricio Pochettino throws first pitch at Seattle Mariners game ahead of USMNT World Cup clash

Argentina-born coach Mauricio Pochettino, who leads the United States men's national soccer team at the 2026 World Cup, served as the honored guest for the ceremonial first pitch before the Seattle Mariners’ Major League Baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at T‑Mobile Park. Wearing a Mariners jersey, he threw the ball from the mound to the team mascot, while the entire USMNT delegation, including captain Christian Pulisic, watched from the stadium’s red‑carpet entrance.

The event was staged on the July 4 holiday weekend and was billed as a celebration of American sport ahead of the United States’ round‑of‑16 World Cup match against Belgium, which is set to take place the following Monday at Seattle’s Lumen Field.