USMNT’s ‘why not us’ World Cup belief is deserved — even as Belgium threat looms

SEATTLE — Why not us? 

“We all believe in it,’’ Tim Ream said. “We’ve all talked about it. We all say it: ‘Why not us?’ ’’ 

Thanks to 54-year-old Argentine manager Mauricio Pochettino — who becomes more American with every verse of “Take Me Home, Country Roads” he sings after his U.S. men’s national team wins a World Cup match — this has become the mantra for the team and for the nation. 

“It’s taken hold,’’ Ream, the 38-year-old U.S. defender and team captain, said. “It’s all over our hotels, it’s all over our meeting rooms and our spaces. It’s a reminder to continue to believe, and we are fully ingrained in that and continuing to believe that.’’