HOUSTON — United States coach Maurico Pochettino mentioned his group had realized “priceless” classes regardless of a “painful” 2-1 loss to rival Mexico throughout Sunday’s Gold Cup ultimate.
The U.S. took a 1-0 lead within the 4th minute at a sold-out NRG Stadium because of a header from Chris Richards, earlier than giving up two objectives to Mexico from Raúl Jiménez within the twenty seventh minute and the winner from Edson Álvarez within the 77th minute.
“It is a huge lesson for us, I believe it is priceless,” Pochettino mentioned after the match. “I believe it was an incredible match to comprehend in the best way that we wished to develop … [but it’s also] an evening that could be a very, very painful night time, as a result of once you lose a trophy, otherwise you lose a recreation, it is actually, actually painful.
“However a very powerful factor is to have our heads up.”
Throughout postgame media availability, the coach from Argentina additionally shared his frustration over a non-penalty name within the second half when Mexico fullback Jorge Sánchez‘s palm landed on the ball contained in the 18-yard field whereas the defender fell to the bottom.
“The reality was that if that occurred within the reverse half, within the different field, for positive it is a penalty,” Pochettino mentioned. “The participant was with a knee on the ground, he pushed the hand over the ball. It isn’t that the hand was [already] on the ground, and the ball touched.
“For me, it was embarrassing to see that state of affairs and it is a disgrace. I perceive that possibly 70,000 folks [in the stands], you realize, giving this penalty, it is not simple.”
Relating to the bulk Mexico crowd in Houston, the U.S. coach additionally pleaded for extra help within the stands forward of the World Cup that the U.S. will co-host subsequent yr with Mexico and Canada.
“I believe we want the folks. We want the followers. The followers have one yr to comprehend how essential are the followers in soccer,” Pochettino mentioned. “How essential are the followers to be within the stadium, to stick with the group, to help, not solely via Instagram, social media or via behind the group. It is to be right here and translate the power.”
On the successful facet in Houston, Mexico coach Javier Aguirre was thrilled, and admittedly drained, after serving to El Tri win its tenth Gold Cup title.
“It provides us confidence, it provides us power for the long run, for what’s coming,” mentioned Aguirre, who additionally coached Mexico to the Nations League title earlier this yr. “There is not any extra official matches, solely friendlies, and we have to proceed in search of gamers for the World Cup.”
The U.S. has received the Gold Cup seven instances to Mexico’s 10, and the 2 groups have received a mixed 16 out of the previous 17, with Mexico efficiently defending the trophy it received over Panama within the 2023 ultimate.