Poch finally feels WC 'excitement' building in U.S...

Article excerpt

Mauricio Pochettino, the U.S. men's soccer coach, detected genuine enthusiasm from American fans for the first time during Saturday's 2-1 loss to Germany at Soldier Field, the team's final tuneup before the World Cup. Despite the defeat, Pochettino expressed optimism about the energy level he'd been seeking from the fanbase since taking the job. The match provided a last look at the squad's preparation as the tournament approaches, offering both a sobering result and an encouraging sign of domestic support for the national team.