Mauricio Pochettino was upset with the media after a 3-2 loss to Turkey on Thursday.
The United States Men’s National Team coach was fuming that no reporters congratulated him or the team for winning the group.
“The mood is like we [are going] home tonight and Turkey is staying,” Pochettino said. “I need to [remind] you and everyone that we won the group. Sorry guys, we won.”
The former Chelsea and Spurs manager was responding to multiple questions about losing momentum heading into the World Cup knockout stage, despite already having won the group.
Pochettino said before the match that he would urge his side to chase another win, but he started mostly reserves, including nine changes from the starting XI that beat Australia, in a move that didn’t suggest a need to win.
If the USMNT had pulled off its third straight victory, it would have been the first team in program history to win all three group games at a World Cup.
“Making history is winning the World Cup,” Pochettino said. “It’s not winning three matches only within the World Cup. I don’t really understand. It’s a little bit petty if you will — you’re thinking a little too small. You’re telling me you could make history — what does it mean to win three matches if you lose the next one?”
Pochettino pointed to Germany, who played a few hours before the USMNT on Thursday, who started many of their regulars but still lost to a desperate Ecuador side.
He believes that despite the loss, the United States handled the situation well, including getting USMNT star Christian Pulisic back in action.
The AC Milan forward was sidelined against Australia with a calf injury that saw him subbed out of the Paraguay victory after the first half.
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“Yes, I’m happy — he finished well,” Pochettino said. “It was a good impact when he was on the pitch.”
The US now turns its focus to the knockout stage where they will face Bosnia-Herzegovina on July 1.
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