Pochettino Rebukes Critics as USMNT Prepares for Japan Friendly
Coach calls negativity 'shameful' after loss to South Korea, stresses World Cup preparation
United States men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino on Monday sharply rebuked critics of the program, calling outside commentary “bulls—t” and describing the negativity as “shameful” ahead of Tuesday’s friendly against Japan in Columbus, Ohio.
Pochettino’s remarks came during a press conference following a 2-0 loss to South Korea on Saturday in Harrison, New Jersey — the U.S. team’s sixth defeat of 2025 — and amid growing concern about results with the 2026 World Cup less than a year away. Saturday’s match, played at Sports Illustrated Stadium in front of a largely pro–South Korea crowd, intensified scrutiny of selections and results after another disappointing performance.
When asked about center back Chris Richards, who came off the bench in the loss, Pochettino used the question to criticize those calling for changes. “People sometimes create debate and talk with no sense,” he said. “This national team and this country has qualified already for the World Cup, so the important thing is to apply common sense. If people want to talk about bulls—t, they can talk about bulls—t.”
Pochettino added that the same critics would second-guess any choice he made: “Sometimes people want to talk only to analyze the result and want to be negative, and I think it’s a little bit shameful. We need to be positive, because we need to be all together, because the country deserves to be on one side to arrive at the World Cup in the best condition to be a competitive team to make our fans proud. That is the most important thing.”
The coach reiterated a line he gave after Saturday’s game, emphasizing long-term goals over individual friendlies. “I want to win tomorrow,” he said, according to Fox Sports. “But the most important thing is to arrive in a very good condition and win the first game, the second game, the third game, go to the next round. No one is going to remember this press conference if that happens.”
Despite Pochettino’s insistence on focusing toward 2026, the recent results have unsettled supporters and observers. The United States has lost its last five matches against teams ranked in the top 25 by FIFA and was outscored 11-1 in those games. The run has prompted questions about defensive combinations, attacking production and the readiness of the squad against elite competition.
The friendly against Japan offers Pochettino a final tune-up on U.S. soil before a scheduled October World Cup qualifying window. The coach has faced pressure to balance experimentation with the need to build cohesion; he has made changes throughout 2025 as he evaluates players ahead of the tournament the U.S. will co-host in June 2026.
Pochettino said he wants the team and country unified in approach and tone as preparations continue. The United States next faces Japan at Lower.com Field in Columbus, with attention focused as much on measurable improvements as on the immediate result.
Coverage of the U.S. national team’s preparation will continue as the coaching staff works through lineup decisions and tactical adjustments in the months leading to the World Cup.