Pochettino drills American mindset ahead of World Cup clash with Australia
A fiesty friendly against Australia last October was key in fostering the aggressive, never-back-down persona that has led the USMNT to early World Cup success.
Good morning! The World Cup is reshaping the U.S. team’s identity ahead of Friday’s showdown with Australia, the WNBA is supersizing its season, and the Golden Knights are changing course behind the bench. Let’s get into it.
🚨 HEADLINES
⚽ Mentality matters. Mauricio Pochettino has drilled a never-back-down identity into the USMNT ahead of Friday’s group clash with Australia — and his players are buying in.
🏀 Bigger league. The WNBA will expand to a 50-game regular season in 2027, the league announced.
🏒 Coaching change. John Tortorella will not return behind the Golden Knights’ bench next season, Vegas confirmed.
🏀 Thirty and counting. A’ja Wilson was named Western Conference Player of the Week for the 30th time.
⚾ Bats stay quiet. The Padres were shut down again by a St. Louis starter in a one-run loss.
See what else is trending at The Sporting Tribune.
⚽ THE MINDSET BEHIND THE USMNT’S WORLD CUP RUN
At the team’s Irvine base camp, the United States’ World Cup identity traces back to two fiery meetings with its first two group opponents. Midfielder Sebastian Berhalter credited Pochettino with installing an aggressive, never-back-down mentality — the same edge that fueled a 4-1 demolition of Paraguay in the opener. Now the Americans turn to a surprising top-of-the-group showdown with Australia on Friday in Seattle (noon PT). Christian Pulisic (calf) is day-to-day but trending toward available.
GO DEEPER
› Pochettino drills American mindset ahead of Australia clash (The Sporting Tribune)
› USMNT steamrolls Paraguay 4-1 in its World Cup opener (The Sporting Tribune)
› Jordan’s defensive posture backfires against Austria (The Sporting Tribune)
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🏀 THE WNBA SUPERSIZES ITS SCHEDULE
The WNBA will grow to a 50-game regular season starting in 2027 under its new collective bargaining agreement, with room to reach 52 games from 2029 onward. It continues a steady climb from 44 this season and reflects a league riding unprecedented demand as it prepares to add several expansion franchises. For the Sparks and Aces, more games mean more inventory, more travel and more revenue.
› WNBA will increase regular season to 50 games, starting in 2027 (The Sporting Tribune)
🏒 VEGAS MOVES ON FROM TORTORELLA
John Tortorella will not return behind the Golden Knights’ bench next season, ending a short-lived run in the desert. Columnist Steve Carp argues it’s the right call for a franchise that has set the standard for stability and contention since its 2017 arrival. The search for a new voice begins now.
› John Tortorella not returning behind Vegas bench next season (The Sporting Tribune)
› Steve Carp: Knights wise to move on from Torts (The Sporting Tribune)
📺 WATCHLIST — WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17
⚾ MLB: Padres at Cardinals — MLB — 11:15 a.m. PT
⚽ World Cup: Portugal vs. DR Congo — Fox — 10 a.m. PT
⚾ MLB: Dodgers vs. Rays — SportsNet LA — 12:10 p.m. PT
⚾ MLB: Angels at Diamondbacks — ABTV — 12:40 p.m. PT
⚽ World Cup: England vs. Croatia — Fox — 1 p.m. PT
⚽ World Cup: Ghana vs. Panama — FS1 — 4 p.m. PT
⚽ World Cup: Uzbekistan vs. Colombia — FS1 — 7 p.m. PT
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⚾ MLB: Rays at Dodgers — Dodger Stadium — $49
🌴 TWO-MARKET TRIVIA
The Rose Bowl hosted the 1994 World Cup final. Which Southern California stadium is serving as a host venue for the 2026 World Cup?
Answer at the bottom.
🎧 THE SPORTING TRIBUNE TODAY
Today’s episode breaks down the mentality powering the USMNT’s World Cup run ahead of Friday’s clash with Australia, the WNBA’s jump to a 50-game season, and the Golden Knights’ decision to move on behind the bench. Hear it on the radio across Southern California and Las Vegas via Westwood One Sports.
› Listen to the latest episode
Trivia answer: SoFi Stadium in Inglewood — branded “Los Angeles Stadium” for the tournament — is Southern California’s 2026 World Cup host venue.
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