Pochettino Trusts US Plan After Defeat to Korea: “We Have a Plan”

COLUMBUS, Ohio – U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino reiterated his analysis of the team’s performance in the 2-0 defeat against South Korea, emphasizing that his team was superior in the game and expressing satisfaction with the progress of the Americans.The USMNT will face Japan at Lower.com Field on Tuesday, in the second friendly of this international break, with the aim of getting back on track after the match against South Korea.After reviewing the recording of the match against South Korea, Pochettino stated he felt “even more positive” about the performance.

Because I believe that we played, despite the result, very well. The players tried to do, they did what we wanted. I am positive because the players trust the process, they know we have a plan, they know we have a plan and we stick to it.

Mauricio Pochettino

Added: “Of course, I am the first one interested in winning because… we are very competitive. But at the same time there is also the process and the plan that we have, and we stick to it.””If we play the same game again, [and] we should learn in the way we need to learn, we will be closer to [winning]. That’s why I’m happy and looking forward to tomorrow.”Pochettino announced that he will make several changes to his starting lineup on Tuesday, with the aim of giving playing time to some players who have not had many opportunities. He explained that this is part of his plan to have options when naming the squad for the World Cup.

We also need to understand that we need to have a [complete] squad. Because if we only work with a few players, but then I write the list and some arrive with an injury and cannot play and cannot be on the list, the World Cup is not a time to test or give the possibility to gain experience.

Mauricio Pochettino

Pochettino also mentioned the possibility of experimenting with the five-man defensive line that was used successfully during the last half hour against South Korea.

Maybe yes, maybe we’ll see it tomorrow. That’s the plan [to try it] sometimes.

Mauricio PochettinoAnd then he added: “We’ll see. We know, but we can’t say it”.