Mauricio Pochettino's triumphant moment with the United States national team turned confrontational as the manager engaged in a heated exchange with journalists following an impressive 5-1 victory against Uruguay.
Historic Victory Overshadowed by Tension
The USMNT delivered their largest victory against a non-Concacaf opponent since 2011, dominating the South American side with four first-half goals without reply. Despite this significant achievement, the former Tottenham head coach found himself defending his managerial decisions rather than celebrating the team's performance.
Pochettino appeared visibly frustrated when questioned about his extensive squad rotation policy, which has seen him field 71 different players during his just-over one-year tenure. His record with the national team stands at 13 wins, seven losses, and two draws.
Heated Exchange Over 'Regular Players'
The tension erupted when a journalist suggested Pochettino lacked 'regular players' in his squad. The Argentine manager immediately challenged the reporter, demanding: 'Who are the regular players?'
As the journalist attempted to clarify, Pochettino interrupted, drawing a stark comparison: 'It's like we were the opposite, losing 5-1. I am the USA coach, not the janitor.'
The 53-year-old continued his passionate defence, expressing concern about how such labelling might affect his players: 'I don't know if they're listening to the press conference, a player feels they're not a regular player, they play and they did well - if I am the player, I am disappointed by that.'
Building Towards 2026 World Cup
Despite the confrontation, Pochettino emphasised the positive development within the squad as they prepare to host the World Cup in just over six months. He highlighted the team's growing unity and shared philosophy as crucial elements for success.
'What I really appreciate from the team, and all of the staff, is in the way that we start to connect together,' Pochettino explained. 'That is the most important thing to arrive at the World Cup and to have a chance to challenge all of the big teams.'
The manager pointed to the team's consistent performance despite making nine changes from their previous match against Paraguay, demonstrating the squad's depth and shared commitment to their playing style.
Pochettino also addressed speculation about a potential return to Tottenham, firmly stating his commitment to the US national team. 'I've seen the rumours, we are 100 coaches on the list. Don't be worried about that,' he assured journalists, making it clear that his focus remains entirely on preparing the American squad for their home World Cup campaign.
