Pochettino Reveals the Secret Behind USMNT's Stunning Gold Cup Success
Mauricio Pochettino commended the strong unity within the U.S. men's national team after their determined penalty shootout triumph over Costa Rica.
The USMNT found itself amid significant scrutiny during the summer months. Several top-tier American players, including team captain Christian Pulisic, chose to skip the Gold Cup competition, resulting in Pochettino working with a squad predominantly composed of MLS talent. Leading up to the tournament, the team endured consecutive losses to Türkiye and Switzerland, drawing sharp criticism from supporters and former USMNT stars.
However, after struggling in early June matches, the USMNT recovered impressively during the Gold Cup group phase, earning a flawless record with maximum points. Wins over Trinidad and Tobago, Saudi Arabia, and Haiti secured the Stars and Stripes' advancement to the elimination rounds, where they encountered a determined Costa Rican team.
The United States fell behind early before earning a penalty opportunity in the 37th minute to level the score. Malik Tillman, who is anticipated to transfer to Bayer Leverkusen this summer, struck his attempt against the goalpost, disappointing both Pochettino and the USMNT supporters at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The Stars and Stripes supported their teammate and fought back into contention with strikes from Diego Luna and Max Arfsten. Even after Alonso Martínez scored a late equalizer for Costa Rica, the USMNT maintained their composure and progressed 4–3 via penalty kicks to reach the Gold Cup semifinals.
The squad's reaction to Tillman's missed penalty was exactly what Pochettino hoped to witness from his players.
"This signifies a great deal. It shows we are united, that we support our teammates," he explained. "This connection must come naturally among them, which is why they all deserve recognition— both the veteran players and the younger ones who listen to the veterans. This represents something crucial.
"We may choose 26 players, but becoming a true team is entirely different. You could have 26 individuals playing selfishly, making this kind of supportive behavior difficult to achieve. This happens because they genuinely care, because they put in effort both during matches and away from the pitch to look after one another."
Pochettino's emphatic remarks suggest what may be absent from his usual roster of American stars. The USMNT has previously faced criticism for lacking passion and failing to perform when it matters most for the Stars and Stripes. With his current group, however, the former Tottenham Hotspur manager encounters no such problems.
"This is our goal," he stated. "This reflects our feelings, how we wish to represent our nation, and we want to battle for our flag and jersey."