USMNT boss wants team to learn from losses, saying "we need to have the right characters to be really competitive"
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Pochettino discusses Gold Cup opportunityWon't pick based on talent aloneUSMNT looking to move on from Nations LeagueFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱GettyWHAT HAPPENED?
Mauricio Pochettino says that he expects the U.S. men's national team to show more pride at this summer's Gold Cup than they did in tehir recent CONCACAF Nations League losses to Panama and Canada.
The USMNT fell, 1-0, to Canada in the Nations League semifinal, conceding a late goal to be knocked out of the tournament for the first time in its four-edition history. They then went on to lose, 2-1, to Canada in the third-place game, earning criticism from all corners for a perceived lack of passion and fight over the two-game set.
Their first opportunity to bounce back from that will come this summer when they play two friendlies before diving into the Gold Cup. Looking ahead to this summer's opportunity, Pochettino says the U.S. will need to feel the responsibility on their shoulders after their Nations League losses.
Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesWHAT POCHETTINO SAID
“For sure to start we must compete hard. We must match the intensity of our opponents, because in these tournaments they are always motivated to play against the USA," he said in an interview with U.S. Soccer. "Of course we must perform well to win and you don’t always get a result, but for sure in order to win you have to compete. It’s not just about showing up in your home country and trying to play nice soccer.
"No, you must be proud, you must fight for the people that would love to be in your position, for the millions of kids that are going to see us and dream to be one day where we are. This is type of responsibility and commitment we need to show in a different way than we did in Los Angeles.”
Pochettino stressed that players will not be selected just based on talent, but also on competitiveness.
“The right mindset must be there, because we need to compete for our flag, our country," he said. "What we are trying to do as a staff is to optimize every single area of preparation, and the mentality of the players is really important. We need to be intelligent in the way that we are going to select the players and not just choose based on talent alone. We need to have the right characters to be really competitive.”
ImagnTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The U.S. was drawn into a group alongside Trinidad & Tobago, Saudi Arabia and Haiti this summer, giving Pochettino's side some interesting challenges early in the tournament. Trinidad & Tobago, of course, famously upset the USMNT to knock them out of 2018 World Cup qualification, while Saudi Arabia impressed at the 2022 World Cup tournament with a win over eventual champions Argentina.
Haiti, meanwhile, hasn't lost since October 2023 as they ran through multiple Caribbean competitors on their path the Gold Cup before recently crushing Azerbaijan, 3-0, in a March friendly.
“I think it's going to be a difficult group, and it’s important that we respect all of our opponents in the competition," Pochettino said. "The Gold Cup is historically always a difficult competition, and we are excited to be involved and of course we want to win. It's a good opportunity for us to test different players and see their character and continue to build and prepare the team for the World Cup.”
There have been many vocal critics of the USMNT after the losses in Nations League, including former national team players. Ex-USMNT coach Bruce Arena joined the fray this week, saying on a podcast that that "coaching international football is different than club football."
“You asked me, do we lack that kind of pride?" Arena said. "I mean I’m watching and I’m shocked that we can’t beat Panama and Canada. It was shocking to me. And I don’t want to be disrespectful, as I want them to do great in the World Cup, but we only have a year left now. Time is running out and they gotta get going.”
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR THE USMNT?
Prior to the Gold Cup, the USMNT will face Turkey and Switzerland on June 7 and 10, respectively, in a pair of pre-tournament friendlies.
