U.S. vs Mexico: Pochettino values Gold Cup defeat, asks for support

Pochettino: “Invaluable Lessons” Despite the Defeat Against Mexico

United States manager Mauricio Pochettino stated that his team learned “invaluable” lessons despite the “painful” 2-1 defeat against Mexico in the Gold Cup final. The Americans took the lead in the fourth minute at the packed NRG Stadium thanks to a header from Chris Richards, before conceding two goals to Mexico, scored by Raúl Jiménez in the 27th minute and Edson Álvarez’s winning goal in the 77th minute.

“It’s a massive lesson for us, I think it’s invaluable,” Pochettino said after the match. “I think it was an incredible tournament to realize the way we wanted to grow… [but also] a very, very painful night, because when you lose a trophy or a match, it’s really painful.

Mauricio Pochettino

During the post-match press conference, the Argentinian coach also shared his frustration over a non-called foul in the second half after the ball fell under the palm of Mexican full-back Jorge Sánchez while he was falling to the ground.

“The truth is that if that happened in the opposing field, in the other area, it’s definitely a penalty,” Pochettino said. “The player was on one knee, he pushed his hand onto the ball. It’s not that his hand was [already] on the ground and the ball touched it.”

Mauricio Pochettino

Regarding the majority of Mexican fans in Houston, the U.S. coach also asked for more support in the stands ahead of the World Cup that the United States will co-host next year with Mexico and Canada.

“I think we need the people. We need the fans. The fans have a year to realize how important the fans are in football,” Pochettino said. “How important the fans are to be in the stadium, to be with the team, to support, not only through Instagram, social media or behind the team. It’s being here and transmitting the energy.”

Mauricio Pochettino

On the winning side in Houston, Mexico coach Javier Aguirre was excited, and admitted to being tired, after helping El Tri win their tenth Gold Cup title.

“It gives us confidence, it gives us energy for the future, for what’s coming,” said Aguirre, who also led Mexico to the Nations League title earlier this year. “There are no more official matches, only friendlies, and we need to keep looking for players for the World Cup.”

Javier Aguirre

The United States has won the Gold Cup seven times to Mexico’s 10, and the two teams have won a total of 16 of the last 17, with El Tri successfully defending the trophy they won against Panama in the 2023 final.