Pochettino: USMNT faces test of 'character' vs. Canada in CNL - ESPN

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — U.S. men's national team coach Mauricio Pochettino said that Sunday's third-place game in the Concacaf Nations League against Canada is a match where «we need to show character.»

The U.S. is still smarting from Thursday's 1-0 defeat to Panama in which Cecilio Waterman's strike in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time saw the U.S. prevented from winning a fourth straight Nations League title.

Afterward, Pochettino lamented his team's lack of aggression and intensity, especially in the first half. His hope is for not only a better result, but an improved performance against Canada.

«I think what we want to see is the same focus and concentration and mental level in every single game, official [competition] or no official competition,» he said in his pregame news conference Saturday.

«And for me, [Sunday] is going to be a game, an important game to see how we react. We need to show character… It's not only about the result but it's also about to improve our performance.»

That includes AC Milan attacker Christian Pulisic who didn't have much impact in Thursday's game.

«A player like him is under pressure in the last few months, high pressure,» Pochettino said, «For sure that is not the Christian that we wanted to see because I think he can do much better.»

Pochettino added that he felt his team's discipline was there, and that his players followed the game plan. What was missing was the chemistry between players as well as the confidence to take risks in attack.

«They need to trust in that they can make a mistake, and the mistake is not to try again,» he said. «For me that is the most important.»

He added: «People that take risks is what we want, what we love and you cannot play football without