SAN JOSE, Calif. — Before a question was asked at his final press conference ahead of the U.S. national team hosting Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32 at the World Cup, head coach Mauricio Pochettino had something he wanted to get off his chest.
Pochettino apologized to the room for the way he answered questions following the team’s last-gasp loss to Turkey to close out the group stage on Thursday.
“I was frustrated and disappointed. It was my problem, not your problem,” Pochettino told the media. “I was upset after the defeat and I’m sorry.”
Pochettino had taken issue with the line of questioning following the 3-2 defeat, repeating numerous times that no one congratulated the team for winning the group, saying it was “a little bit sad” and “your questions are a little bit weird.” The U.S. had wrapped up first in the group after two games but lost its finale — which featured a heavily rotated squad — on a goal at the death.
Tuesday’s mea culpa was one final bow to tie on an otherwise historic group stage for the USMNT at a World Cup, with full focus turned to the knockout rounds. The U.S. is seen as a heavy favorite to advance but is not overlooking its opponents nor even wanting to accept any prognostication.
“I don’t believe we are the favorites,” Pochettino said. “We see in the last few days how difficult it is for all teams. … Everyone said Germany was the favorite against Paraguay, no? … You see Brazil vs. Japan, how difficult it was.”
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The USMNT won its first two games in style, 4-1 over Paraguay and 2-0 against Australia to clinch the group and render the final match against Turkey inconsequential to the standings. Pochettino was still upset at the loss, showing his fiery competitive nature, and it’s a mindset he and the U.S. players bring to the knockout stage.
“I understand that maybe because we are the USA, we host the World Cup, we have the fans on our side (that we’re favorites), but we have full respect to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bosnia are here because they deserve to be here. For us, it’s full respect.”
Bosnia tied Canada, lost to Switzerland and beat Qatar to book its place in the knockouts for the first time in team history. Bosnia has conceded one goal or fewer in nine of its last 10 games, a run that includes World Cup qualifying playoffs against Wales and Italy.
The team is led by legendary 40-year-old striker Edin Džeko, as well as rising wingers Esmir Bajraktarević and Kerim Alajbegović.
“Bosnia is a very competitive, aggressive and physical team, who also has good organization and a very good coach,” Pochettino said. “You see the games they played in the group stage or in March for qualification, they have quality.”
The first two days of the knockout rounds at the World Cup had four games that each went down to the wire. Two games were decided by dramatic, stoppage-time winners, and the other two went to penalties. Traditional powers Germany (against Paraguay) and the Netherlands (against Morocco) went out on penalties, while Brazil needed every second available to beat Japan. Another cohost, Canada, eked past South Africa. All told, Pochettino isn’t taking anything for granted.
“Tomorrow is the final of the World Cup,” Pochettino said. “And if we are capable to go through, the next game will be the final of the World Cup.”
