Pochettino defends USMNT players: 'Criticize me,' not them - ESPN

United States coach Mauricio Pochettino defended his players and said criticism of the team should be directed at him and not his roster after Tuesday's 2-0 victory over Japan at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio.

«I prefer that the people criticize me, but don't touch the player,» Pochettino said. «I hope in the future, criticize me, criticize me, but let the player play free, go and perform.»

Guided by goals from Alejandro Zendejas and Folarin Balogun, the friendly victory represented a turnaround for the manager who was coming off back-to-back defeats after Saturday's loss to South Korea and a loss to Mexico in the Gold Cup final in July. Heading into the match against Japan, Pochettino had overseen losses in six of the 11 previous matches.

Regarding the noise and pressure before facing Japan, the Argentine coach, who was «so pleased» with his latest win, called for more patience with his project that began last year.

"[We've needed] time because the players need to know us, the staff need to know us, we need to adapt to them, we need to adapt to the player," said the former Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur coach. «We need to know the player… that is a big picture that we talk [about], but sometimes people want the result tomorrow, and why you don't call this [player] or call another.

»[What's] most important is the process. The most important today, [is it about] winning or lose? No, it's about the process. It's about the player really believing in what we are doing. That they respect us, how we respect them. We are capable to build that relationship… give time to the process and the process is going to work, for sure."

Regarding Zendejas, a Club America star who was left off the Gold Cup roster, Pochettino