Get free access to the most comprehensive World Cup coverage in The Athletic app.IRVINE, Calif. — Christian Pulisic was nearing the end of a 34 1/2-minute autograph session, during which he signed jerseys, T-shirts, soccer balls and even a police officer’s uniform patch. He was the last U.S. men’s national team player still signing when staff finally beckoned him inside so the team could head back to the hotel.As he turned toward the doors, one fan on the other side of the tunnel let out a last desperate cry that echoed across the field: “Christian, please!”There were 5,500 fans in attendance at Monday’s open training session at Great Park in Irvine, Calif., four days ahead of the team’s Group D opener against Paraguay in Los Angeles. They were the lucky ones of the more than 32,000 who entered a lottery for a ticket to attend. There were young children and babies, teenagers and adults, all decked out in their red, white and blue gear. At one point, U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino started a U-S-A chant.“The most important thing is you feel proud about your team,” Pochettino told the crowd on an open microphone at the start of the session. “One thing is sure: we are going to give everything to create good memories with you, for you to feel proud of your team. I’m so proud to be here, and I’m so grateful to the people.”The response that followed was the kind of home support the U.S. team rarely experiences. The challenge now is to turn that energy and backing into something tangible.Goalkeeper Matt Freese indicated the team was ready to do just that, and to pull the country along with them.“I would say the message from me (to the public) is ‘believe,’” Freese said. “We are believing, and when you have a group of guys that fights for each other and dies for each other on the field, anything can happen. So believe in us, bring the energy and believe that we hear each and every one of you.”It was yet another sign of what will make this home World Cup different and, perhaps, an indication of the type of advantage that has pushed previous hosts to performances that exceeded most expectations.The last time the World Cup was here, in 1994, the USMNT made a surprise appearance in the knockout rounds for a young soccer country, then fell in the knockout stage, 1-0, in a valiant effort against eventual champions Brazil. They failed to get out of the group in 1990 and 1998.Mauricio Pochettino addresses his players at open training. (Jamie Squire / Getty Images)In 2002, when the USMNT enjoyed its best-ever finish at a World Cup in the quarterfinals, co-hosts South Korea and Japan each topped their groups. South Korea advanced to the semifinal. Before and since, the country has never progressed beyond the round of 16 at a World Cup.Russia in 2018 reached the quarterfinal when it hosted, its best finish since 1970.It is far from guaranteed, however, that home field means a deep tournament run. South Africa in 2010 became the first host nation to fail to advance past the group stage. Qatar became the second in 2022, when they lost all three group matches.