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Cup 2026

After so much U.S. positivity, could Mauricio Pochettino’s agitation affect the good vibes?

Mauricio Pochettino was not impressed with the line of questioning in his press conference after the Turkey game Jared C. Tilton - FIFA / Getty Images

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Even after the deflating last-gasp goal which meant the United States lost 3-2 to Turkey — a first blemish on an otherwise brilliant World Cup — the players huddled near midfield around their spiritual leader, then walked around the pitch thanking supporters, their heads held high.

Thousands of fans stuck around to salute them. “Take Me Home, Country Roads” filled SoFi Stadium. Despite the loss, the U.S. had won Group D, and much of America remained positive.

“It was still a fantastic group stage,” midfielder Brenden Aaronson said. “We’re at a top level. I’m not worried whatsoever.“

Vibes, in other words, remained high.

And then, sometime after 10 p.m. in Southern California, after most of America had gone to bed, Mauricio Pochettino walked into his post-match news conference.

For 15 minutes, the U.S. coach grew increasingly agitated. He repeatedly defended his decision to rest most of his starters in the inconsequential game, even when reporters did not directly ask him about that.

They wanted to ask about his team’s fight, about momentum, about lessons learned entering the knockout rounds.

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Pochettino, before answering one of those questions, complained: “No one congratulated us for finishing first in a very difficult group… I congratulate the players, staff and fans.”

He did the one thing capable of derailing the mood. He got snippy, his mannerisms combative, sometimes in response to ridiculous questions, sometimes in response to innocuous ones.

“For you not to say congratulations that we won the group, that is a little bit sad,” he concluded, essentially scolding the assembled media. He seemingly wanted more credit for last week and the week before, for wins over Paraguay and Australia that have earned him lavish praise. He arguably contradicted the notion that America should dream big, look forward and believe.

But he stopped short of an outburst.

And he did reiterate his big dreams, in English and his native Spanish.

And as Pochettino exited the news conference, a few dozen feet away — separated by curtains and a makeshift wall on the ground floor of SoFi Stadium — his players were upbeat and far more measured.

The stars, naturally, wanted to start and play, and to varying degrees they were disappointed they didn’t.

“Of course I wanted to play,” midfielder Tyler Adams, one of four players carrying a yellow card and who were at risk of suspension for the knockouts if they had been booked during this game, told The Athletic after sitting out Thursday’s match.

“I always want to start, I always want to play,” said wingback Sergino Dest, who didn’t enter until the 76th minute.

No 1 goalkeeper Matt Freese, when asked if he wanted to start, said: “Um, I’m probably just gonna skip that (question), if that’s cool.”

But Dest, Adams, Chris Richards and others understood.

“Obviously it’s up to the coach, always, and we respect his decision,” Dest said.

For the most part, it was an entirely reasonable decision to make nine lineup changes. The selection of Matt Turner in goal over Freese, who was hardly tested in his first two World Cup starts, was a strange one; but the broader principle was sound.

And the backups largely vindicated Pochettino. They played with intensity and aggression. “We still put two (goals) past a good Turkey side,” Richards said. They showed that the pool of players capable of performing at this elite level has in fact expanded under Pochettino, which was one of the coach’s objectives all along.

“We’re proud of the performance we put in,” midfielder Sebastian Berhalter said. “We’ll be ready (for the knockout rounds).”

USMNT fans on the marchTom Bogert

And the loss, remember, was meaningless. Top spot in the group was secured.

“We’re all positive,” defender Auston Trusty, who opened the scoring in the third minute, said.

That, in the end, was all Pochettino had to say. Hardly anyone was criticizing him for the lineup. He didn’t need to take offense when asked about how his team fought in the second half; he didn’t need to make facial expressions that seemed to mock questions. He didn’t need to make his agitation a story, one that America will wake up and read about, one that might split opinions.

Mauricio Pochettino talking to the media, when he became increasingly animated (Jared C. Tilton – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) Daily Play Play Connections: Soccer Edition Group soccer terms that share a common thread. A new puzzle is available each day.

But his players won’t care. They will gather at Great Park in Irvine, Calif., for training and recovery sessions on Friday morning. They will begin preparations for their round-of-32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1.

And America will listen to them, too. Back in the mixed zone, where players give their interviews, captain Tim Ream struck a much more sensible tone. He acknowledged the defeat, but said the team would be “turning the page.”

“You can look at a little bit tonight,” Ream said. “And when your eyes close and the sun rises tomorrow, you have to look forward. You can’t change what’s gone on now. Obviously you can draw lessons, and understand where things can be better, but you can also look at the first two games and what we’ve accomplished so far, and not be satisfied.

“So, just turn the page, and away we go, and focus on Bosnia now.”

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