Pochettino Fires Back at Referees Following USMNT's Crushing Gold Cup Loss

The United States Men's National Team's 2-1 loss to Mexico in the Gold Cup Final will be primarily remembered for a disputed officiating call, where referees decided against awarding a penalty kick after Mexican defender Jorge Sanchez made contact with the ball using his hand during a fall.

At that moment, the match was level at 1-1, though the United States would allow another goal ten minutes afterward, and numerous observers believed a penalty should have been given for the handball incident.

Following the match, USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino addressed the media and was direct in his comments regarding the controversial moment.

"I won't complain or make excuses. I want to speak honestly. And honestly, if that same situation occurred in the opposite penalty area, it would definitely be called as a penalty," Pochettino stated.

"We can't discuss regulations. A questionable penalty? Yes, questionable. Just like many penalties are questionable. Questionable, absolutely. The defender was down on one knee. He deliberately moved his hand onto the ball. It wasn't a case where his hand was already on the ground and the ball struck it... That should have been a penalty, and it could have made it 2-1 in our favor, and we'd be celebrating with the trophy right now," he continued.

Obviously, Pochettino believed his squad was unjustly refused a penalty opportunity, and he was quite harsh in his assessment of the match officials afterward, suggesting the referees made an incorrect decision regarding the handball call.