The United States coach, Mauricio Pochettino, defended his players after the 2-0 victory over Japan at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio. Pochettino asked that the criticism be directed at him and not at his players.
Alejandro Zendejas and Folarin Balogun’s goals were key in this friendly victory, which marked a turning point for the coach after the consecutive defeats suffered against South Korea and Mexico in the Gold Cup final in July. Before the match against Japan, Pochettino had accumulated six defeats in the previous eleven matches.Faced with the pressure and media noise, the Argentinian coach, who was “very happy” with the victory, requested patience with the project he started last year.I prefer that people criticize me, but that they don’t touch the players. I hope that in the future they criticize me, but that they let the players play freely, that they go out and perform.
Mauricio Pochettino
Pochettino emphasized the importance of the process and the confidence in the work that is being done.We need time because the players need to know us, the coaching staff needs to know us, we have to adapt to them, we have to adapt to the players. We need to know the player… It’s a big picture we’re talking about, but sometimes people want results tomorrow, and why don’t you call this player or another.
Mauricio Pochettino
Regarding Zendejas, star of Club América, who was not called up for the Gold Cup, Pochettino acknowledged that his recent performance strengthens his candidacy for next year’s World Cup call-up.The most important thing today, is it winning or losing? No, it’s the process. It’s about the players really believing in what we are doing. That they respect us, how we respect them. We are able to build that relationship… give time to the process and the process will work, for sure.
Mauricio Pochettino
We are very happy because, with his performance, he makes us doubt our ideas for the call-up. With this type of performance, he is in the race for the call-up for the World Cup.
Mauricio Pochettino
Zendejas scored after receiving a long cross from Max Arfsten and volleying with his left foot from the edge of the area, scoring his second goal in 13 international appearances. He had not been called up since November.I know that when they criticize or give an opinion, sometimes something different can be observed from different perspectives. I know this is good for us to see and read. Keep it up, because that makes us better.
Mauricio Pochettino
Balogun scored his sixth international goal after a pass from Christian Pulisic, beating goalkeeper Keisuke Osako with a left-footed angled shot to the far post.I was just waiting for my moment. I didn’t expect to be called up.
Alejandro Zendejas
Balogun joined the team at the last moment, being his first call-up since Pochettino took over. He suffered an injury during a large part of last season, which raised doubts in the coaching staff about his call-up.In preparation for the World Cup, the United States will play friendlies next month against Ecuador on October 10 and Australia on October 14.We are building something big here. Obviously, he’s a great coach and it takes time, and he tried to emphasize that so we would be patient. Confidence, I think, is really important. Results are, at the end of the day, the kind of industry we’re in.
Folarin Balogun
