Gold Cup final a vital stress test for US World Cup preparations, says Pochettino
Both teams have bypassed the challenging World Cup qualifying rounds that typically help prepare teams for football's grandest event and are already guaranteed a place as hosts.
After the final, the U.S. will next host South Korea and Japan in a pair of international friendly matches in September.
"It's good for us. It's good because I think it's going to be maybe the last game that we are going to play under pressure, and to play under pressure is what we need, the team need," Pochettino told reporters on Saturday.
"Because we are qualified for the World Cup and I think all the games that we are going to play after are friendly games. Those are unofficial games and I think it's important that we have, not a difficult scenario, but feel the pressure, feel the stress.
"Because the World Cup is going to be about feeling the pressure and to feel the stress. It's great to have this opportunity."
The Gold Cup final will be played at the NRG Stadium in Houston, just a few hours' drive away from central Texas where at least 43 people, including 15 children, have been confirmed dead following flash floods.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore First BTO project in Sembawang North to be offered in July launch
Business High Court orders Instagram seller to pay Louis Vuitton $200,000 in damages over counterfeit goods
Singapore MOH studying 18 proposals to integrate TCM into public healthcare
Singapore TTSH to demolish century-old pavilion wards, keeping one as heritage marker
World Death toll from Texas floods reaches at least 43; dozens still missing
Singapore Red Lions and naval divers join forces for Jump of Unity at NDP 2025
Singapore His world crashed when he got F9 in O-level Tamil but PropNex co-founder Ismail Gafoor beat the odds
Asia HIV surge in the Philippines amid poor sex education, policy gaps
Pochettino began his press conference by paying tribute to the victims, adding: "First of all I want to send our thoughts to the people in Texas, the tragic situation and for sure the people that were affected.
"Our thoughts with all the people there. Our solidarity with all the families that were affected for the flood." REUTERS
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
2 hours ago
- CNA
Red Lions, Naval Divers to perform jumps, combined salute at this year's National Day Parade
Both the Red Lions and Naval Divers will perform jumps during this year's National Day Parade, ending off with a combined salute. The inaugural Jump of Unity marks the nation's 60th birthday. It is also the first time the teams will be jumping into separate locations, with the Red Lions landing in the Padang and the Naval Divers in Marina Bay. With timing crucial, training began three months ago, with everyone including aircrew specialists playing a role. Charlotte Lim with the preparations behind-the-scenes.
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
England's Hemp says 'arm around each other' is needed ahead of Netherlands match
ZURICH - England forward Lauren Hemp urged team unity following the Lionesses' disappointing 2-1 defeat by France in their Euro 2025 opener, as the reigning champions face the Netherlands on Wednesday with the risk of an early exit looming. "I'd probably say it's more of an arm around each other (than calling each other out)," Hemp told reporters on Sunday. "When times are tough, we've had difficult conversations on the pitch at times. I think after it, off it, you've got to come together rather than push each other further apart. "I think that's what this team is good at, is getting around each other and supporting each other, because obviously we're then going to need everyone back up to their best on Wednesday." Captain Leah Williamson had said England were undone by a "cheap sort of emotional defending" against a France team that ran circles around them for most of the night. England do have a history of slow starts in tournaments, such as their narrow victories over Austria at Euro 2022 and Haiti at the 2023 World Cup, where they eventually reached the final. Hemp emphasised the team's ability to rise to the occasion. "We thrive under pressure," Hemp said. "Every game we go into we want to win, and from how we acted the last 10 minutes of the game, we know what's at stake, and we obviously want to get as far as we can, and we are reigning champions that is important to remember that and gain confidence from that." The team held a light training session on Sunday at their Zurich base, with Hemp and other starters observing while more rested players trained. The session was open to local girls from clubs and schools as part of a thank-you gesture, with players posing for selfies and signing shirts afterward. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore First BTO project in Sembawang North to be offered in July HDB launch Singapore Woman on SMRT bus 190 injured after bottle thrown at vehicle leaves hole in window Asia 'Don't be seen in India again': Indian nationals pushed into Bangladesh at gunpoint Asia Two women fatally stabbed at bar in Japan by man Business High Court orders Instagram seller to pay Louis Vuitton $200,000 in damages over counterfeit goods Singapore MOH studying 18 proposals to integrate TCM into public healthcare Asia Malaysian commando dies during military diving exercise off Kuantan coast Singapore His world crashed when he got F9 in O-level Tamil but PropNex co-founder Ismail Gafoor beat the odds Hemp, along with teammates Alex Greenwood, Georgia Stanway, and Lauren James, returned to action after extended injury absences. Hemp, who underwent two knee surgeries since November, acknowledged the challenges of regaining form but highlighted the team's collective experience. "A lot of us have had a big amount of time out, and it has obviously been gutting for us," the 24-year-old said. "We have missed most of the season, but we've also had four or five games to get up to scratch, and I think it's no excuse really. "We're all in this as a team, and we've got so much experience on the pitch, even though I've been out for seven months, I also played six years (for England), so it's important to remember that and take confidence from it. "Obviously, we're going to be a bit rusty, but everyone's going to be a bit rusty, so we're all in the same boat." REUTERS
Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Straits Times
Usually stoic Miedema emotional after goalscoring milestone
LUCERNE, Switzerland - Netherlands striker Vivianne Miedema rarely betrays much emotion, but her 100th goal for her country, scored in Saturday's 3-0 victory over Wales at the Women's European Championship, produced plenty of happy tears. The Dutch were comfortable winners over the debutants in their opening Group D game at Lucerne, with Miedema curling in a shot from outside the area which sailed into the far top corner, a goal worthy of the captain's milestone in her 126th international appearance, to give her side the lead and bring up a ton of goals for her country. "It's very special, this is something you don't dare dream of as a little girl," she reflected after the achievement. "It was very unreal when the milestone was getting closer, and it is extra special that it is achieved at the European Championship," she added. For the forward, it also came after a long spell out with injury, prompting her reaction. "There were definitely emotions released. Tears? Yes, when we walked on the pitch, at the goal, and after the game. That shows how much this affects me. "I think we all know how tough the past two and a half years have been for me and how hard I've worked to get here." Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore First BTO project in Sembawang North to be offered in July HDB launch Business High Court orders Instagram seller to pay Louis Vuitton $200,000 in damages over counterfeit goods Singapore MOH studying 18 proposals to integrate TCM into public healthcare Singapore TTSH to demolish century-old pavilion wards, keeping one as heritage marker Asia 'Don't be seen in India again': Indian nationals pushed into Bangladesh at gunpoint Asia Malaysian commando dies during military diving exercise off Kuantan coast Singapore Overlooked 'glass child', the sibling of a special-needs kid Singapore His world crashed when he got F9 in O-level Tamil but PropNex co-founder Ismail Gafoor beat the odds Miedema tore her cruciate ligament at the end of 2022 and was sidelined for 10 months. Shortly after her comeback, cartilage in her knee was damaged again, and she underwent another surgery last November. THREAT On her return, she injured her knee again in April and there was a threat she might miss out on the Women's Euros. She only believed she was really going to play on the morning before the match. "I said it out loud for the first time. I don't often get nervous, but now I do. I thought: 'wow, I did it'," she said of her recovery. For Dutch coach Andries Jonker, Miedema's successful return was as good as the three points garnered from their first match at the tournament in Switzerland. "I've been asked who the best player I've worked with is? Well, Lieke Martens and Miedema are exceptional. The others are great, but those two are a step further and better." The 28-year-old Miedema is only the 10th woman to score a ton of international goals, and her coach made a comparison with Dutch great Marco van Basten. "She just sees where the goalkeeper is. I don't think many people see that, but she does. Marco van Basten also did things that made you think you could stop him. But then he takes a swing, and the ball ends up in the top corner. "Great players who don't do the logical thing but do the creative thing. Food for the enthusiast, and I am an enthusiast," said the coach. REUTERS
