Pochettino puzzled by media's questions after U.S. wins group - ESPN

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Mauricio Pochettino was combative and seemingly frustrated with the media during his postgame news conference Thursday night, telling reporters after the United States lost to Türkiye 3-2 at SoFi Stadium, that «the questions are a little bit weird» and the focus should be on the fact that the Americans finished first in their World Cup group.

Pochettino, speaking in Spanish and English, said it was «a little bit sad» that no reporters congratulated him and the U.S. players on clinching the group after winning their first two games, adding that he did not understand why there were questions about the possibility of lost momentum following the last-second defeat to a team which had already been eliminated.

«The mood is like we [are going] home tonight and Türkiye is staying,» the U.S. coach said. «I need to [remind] you and everyone that we won the group. Sorry guys, we won.»

Pochettino had said before the match that he would push his players to chase a victory, even while using mostly reserves in a starting XI that included nine changes from the team that beat Australia on June 19. But when asked afterward if he believed it was a missed opportunity to become the first team in program history to win all three group games at a World Cup, he dismissed the idea as insignificant.

«Making history is winning the World Cup,» Pochettino said. «It's not winning three matches only within the World Cup. I don't really understand. It's a little bit petty if you will — you're thinking a little too small. You're telling me you could make history — what does it mean to win three matches if you lose the next one?»

At another point, in response to a query about any lingering impact from Thursday's defeat, he said: «What