Pochettino: “We improved” despite the defeat against South Korea
The technical director of the United States national team, Mauricio Pochettino, expressed that his team showed a “significant improvement” despite the 2-0 home defeat against South Korea on Saturday in Harrison, New Jersey.
Pochettino’s team was at a disadvantage 2-0 at halftime, after goals from Son Heung-Min and Lee Dong-gyeong.
Despite the changes made by Pochettino in the second half, which increased his team’s offensive pressure, the United States failed to score in the defeat. This was USMNT’s fourth scoreless defeat in 17 matches under Pochettino.
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“In general, I think we were better than South Korea, but if you are not effective in your own area and in the opposite area, it’s difficult,” Pochettino commented in a press conference. “Because we create more opportunities, we have the feeling that we control the game.”
Mauricio Pochettino
“I think we were better. Disappointed, of course, because I am very disappointed with the result, but I think overall, in the performance… it’s a significant improvement.
I told the players, I think the results will come soon, for sure.”The defeat was Pochettino’s sixth this year, and the team is now on a two-game losing streak, following the loss in the Gold Cup final against Mexico.
However, Pochettino was optimistic.
“I am very happy, if I put aside the result, I am very happy with the way we are evolving since the Gold Cup. Today with different players, a different team from the Gold Cup,” said Pochettino, who welcomed Christian Pulisic, Timothy Weah and Sergiño Dest after their summer absences.
Pochettino, who used his 14th different lineup in his 17th match on Saturday, has only seven remaining friendlies before the players are selected for their pre-World Cup training camp.
But when asked when he needs to start getting more results in his favor, the Argentine coach downplayed the idea of needing wins on the road to next year.
“We need to start winning when the World Cup starts,” Pochettino said.
The United States once again encountered a fanbase that felt like an away game, with the majority of the 26,500 fans cheering for South Korea at the MLS’s New York Red Bulls stadium.
And Pochettino has urged American fans to maintain faith that the team will perform when it matters most, in nine months.
“They need to believe, the message [to the fans] is that they need to believe,” he said. “The important thing is that at the beginning of the World Cup we need to have everyone who is going to be in the squad in their best condition.”
After the defeat, the USMNT will continue its preparation for the World Cup with a match against Japan on Tuesday at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio.
