USA Gold Cup lessons 'priceless' and 'painful' - Pochettino - ESPN

HOUSTON — United States coach Maurico Pochettino stated his team had learned «priceless» lessons despite a «painful» 2-1 loss to rivals Mexico during Sunday's Gold Cup final.

The Americans took a 1-0 lead in the fourth minute at a sold out NRG Stadium thanks to a header from Chris Richards, before allowing two goals from Mexico through Raúl Jiménez in the 27th minute and a game-winner from Edson Álvarez in the 77th minute.

«It's a massive lesson for us, I think it's priceless,» Pochettino said after the match. «I think it was an amazing tournament to realize in the way that we wanted to grow...[but it's also] a night that is a very, very painful night, because when you lose a trophy, or you lose a game, it's really, really painful.

»But the most important thing is to have our heads up."

During the post-game media availability, the Argentine coach also shared his frustrations with a non-penalty in the second half after a ball landed under Mexico fullback Jorge Sanchez's palm while falling to the ground.

«The truth was that if that happened in the opposite half, in the other box, for sure it's a penalty,» Pochettino said. «The player was with a knee on the floor, he pushed the hand over the ball. It's not that the hand was [already] on the floor, and the ball touched.

»For me, it was embarrassing to see that situation and it's a shame. I understand that maybe 70,000 people [in the stands], you know, giving this penalty, it's not easy."

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

«I think we need the people. We need the fans. The fans have one year to realize how important are the