U.S. men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino will throw the first pitch before Friday night’s Major League Baseball game between the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays, which the team was invited to attend.

Pochettino played catch with a few of his players before Friday’s practice at Husky Soccer Stadium. The U.S. plays Belgium in the World Cup round of 16 on Monday at Seattle Stadium.

Pochettino has also joined tens of thousands of fans in singing John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” after the USA wins. The 54-year-old coach, who was born in Argentina and lives in Spain, has fully embraced the American experience this summer.

U.S. forward Folarin Balogun, who was born in the New York City borough of Brooklyn to Nigerian parents but raised in London, marveled at the opportunities he, his teammates and the coaching staff have been afforded.

“I think that sort of stuff can only happen in America. So, I’m very, very proud,” Balogun said. “This is a unique experience for me, being in the World Cup in your home nation. And, I think you’re seeing, we’ve been able to be so focused, but, at the same time have so many things we can do to distract ourselves and to take our mind off the high-pressure environment. This evening will be another opportunity to do that.”

Reporting by the Associated Press.

SEATTLE — Fireworks are set to light up the sky above Lake Union on Saturday night as Seattle marks America’s 250th birthday on the Fourth of July.

Crews are preparing more than 7,000 pounds of fireworks for the Seafair show over the water, with hundreds of thousands of spectators expected at Gas Works and Lake Union parks.

This year’s festivities come as visitors from around the globe are in Seattle ahead of another World Cup match featuring Team USA on Monday.

One major change for this year’s celebration is that Gas Works Park will be gated off and will require tickets for entry. Seafair organizers say the new system is intended to help manage the expected increased capacity and keep spectators safe.

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Planned activities during the day on Saturday include an interactive Seafair coloring wall and all-American games, where people can compete in a pie-eating contest, sack races, and a water balloon toss. Musical performances are scheduled to start at 5 p.m.

Free parking is available in the surrounding Gas Works Park neighborhood, but finding a spot is expected to be difficult. Organizers are urging people to give themselves extra time and consider rideshare, carpooling, or public transportation.

Fireworks sales and setting off fireworks are illegal in many areas of western Washington, making large public shows a safer option for many people.

Spectators at Gas Works Park will notice some changes this year. The city recently removed ladders, catwalks, and platforms from the structures there after the death of a 14-year-old last summer.

The teen’s family said the city failed to address dangerous conditions around the park’s towers despite years of warnings and several injuries.

The Lake Union fireworks are expected to start at roughly 10:15 p.m. Saturday.