U.S. soccer coach Mauricio Pochettino coaxed overlooked players into fighting for their country, setting a higher standard for his World Cup roster.

Heading into Sunday's Concacaf Gold Cup final, the vibe around the U.S. men's national team was as optimistic as it had been in at least a year, if not longer. From head coach Mauricio Pochettino and his roster made up mostly of fresh faces,

At the Gold Cup, Pochettino watched as his squad grew on the field and behind the scenes, built camaraderie and held each other accountable.