U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino threw out the ceremonial first pitch Friday night at T-Mobile Park before the Seattle Mariners hosted the Toronto Blue Jays. The appearance came after Pochettino guided the United States into the World Cup knockout stage as group winners and into the round of 16 with a 2-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Pochettino, the former Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea manager, was seen warming up earlier in the day alongside U.S. goalkeeper Matt Turner. According to the report, his pitch was a little loopy but went right into the catcher’s mitt.
He was one of several soccer figures to take the mound this summer. England manager Thomas Tuchel and Scotland midfielder Billy Gilmour took time out of World Cup duties to throw first pitches, and U.S. Women’s National Team forward Trinity Rodman, Spain’s Aitana Bonmatí, and former Italy striker Mario Balotelli also made appearances at various ballparks.
The report singled out several individual efforts. Tuchel reportedly delivered a solid strike from the middle of the mound at a Kansas City Royals game. Turner — who warmed up with Pochettino — was described as having thrown the best pitch among the soccer stars, unleashing a fastball at the Los Angeles Angels’ stadium.
Other throws drew mixed descriptions. Rodman’s pitch to open a Mariners game was an arcing toss that floated over the plate. Bonmatí produced a looping first pitch for the San Diego Padres and was said to have acquitted herself well. Gilmour, wearing a heavy knee brace after injuring his knee in a pre-tournament friendly, reportedly managed a pitch with decent pace at the Miami Marlins. Balotelli brought a languid demeanor to a New York Mets game when he threw his first pitch.
