Latest news with #GoldCupFinal
The Star
10-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-Pochettino wants to bring American winning mentality to US soccer
Jul 6, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino against Mexico during the 2025 Gold Cup Final soccer match at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images (Reuters) -United States manager Mauricio Pochettino said he wants to bring America's winning mentality to the national soccer team as they gear up for the 2026 World Cup on home turf. The former Tottenham Hotspur boss has been tasked with leading the U.S. at the showpiece event to be co-hosted with Canada and Mexico, and while they have suffered some disappointments under Pochettino he says they are on the right track. "We need to compete and create a team that can compete in the level that we expect," the Argentine told the U.S. Soccer Podcast in an episode released on Wednesday. "But I think little by little we're trying to evolve together and trying to understand what it means to defend and to play for a national team like the USA, that always requires from everyone the best." The U.S. were beaten by Panama in the CONCACAF Nations League semi-finals in March, and lost Sunday's CONCACAF Gold Cup final against Mexico. Pochettino knows there is an expectation for success. "We're representing a country that always wants to be the best in every single thing that they are doing and that is why in soccer, we are responsible to create that mentality," he added. "We're in a process, it's still one year from the World Cup and in a very good process, and we're happy in the way things are going." (Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Goa; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
USMNT Legend Calls Out Pochettino For Lack of Commitment After Gold Cup Mistakes
USMNT Legend Calls Out Pochettino For Lack of Commitment After Gold Cup Mistakes originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Days after the USMNT lost to Mexico in the Gold Cup Final, Mauricio Pochettino has continued to face backlash for his team's underperformance in a crucial game. Despite missing important players who play in Europe, the manager is criticized for his inability to compete in the final. Advertisement Mexico defeated the USMNT 2-1, though many believe the scoreline didn't accurately reflect the full story of the match. Former USMNT goalkeeper Kasey Keller had strong words about Pochettino after the Gold Cup Final. Keller questioned Pochettino's commitment to the USMNT during the Gold Cup this summer. The USMNT had pressure to win the Gold Cup, even though their team on paper was not the strongest, as players opted to take the summer off. Keller's criticism involves the players chosen for the roster for the Gold Cup this summer. Kasey Keller Criticizes Pochettino's National Team Approach Kasey Keller was not a fan of how games were handled during the Gold Cup games this summer. His criticism comes from the USMNT taking leads during games and then suffering at the end of games against weaker opposition. Kasey Keller: "What I haven't seen from Pochettino is a full commitment to the national team. I haven't seen a full commitment to the players, I haven't seen a full commitment to going and watching matches and truly being the guy to find out all those questions." Keller also questions why there is a lack of communication between some players and Pochettino. Keller suggested that Pochettino is still used to being a club coach, not a national team coach. Kasey Keller: "You hear players. [They get asked] 'Have you spoken with Pochettino? No, he's never called me. I've not talked to him, I don't know where I stand.' That's fine if you're a club coach. Because in a club, if someone doesn't buy into what you're saying, you just go buy somebody else. But as a national team coach, you only have what you have.' Advertisement Pochettino's USMNT record against highly-ranked teams Pochettino has not had a good record against teams that are highly ranked in the FIFA international team rankings. The USMNT is currently ranked 16th. Since Pochettino's arrival, the USMNT has played four national teams in the top 30 of the FIFA World Rankings. Those four national teams were Mexico (#17), Switzerland (#20), Turkiye (#27), and Canada (#30). The USMNT with Pochettino as head coach lost twice against Mexico, and lost two friendlies against Turkiye and Switzerland. The USMNT lost to Canada in the 2025 CONCACAF Nations League Bronze Final. Advertisement USMNT vs Top 30 under Pochettino USA 0-2 Mexico (Friendly: October 15, 2024) USA 1-2 Canada (Nations League: March 23, 2025) USA 1-2 Turkiye (Friendly: June 7, 2025) USA 0-4 Switzerland (Friendly: June 10, 2025) USA 1-2 Mexico (Gold Cup: July 6, 2025) Related: Lalas Challenges Diego Luna After 'Disappearing' In USMNT's Gold Cup Collapse Related: USMNT Robbed? Pochettino Explodes Over Handball Controversy As Referee Denies Penalty Claim This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Straits Times
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
US coach Pochettino takes positives from Gold Cup despite defeat in final
Jul 6, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino speaks to the media after the match against Mexico during the 2025 Gold Cup Final at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images The United States came up short in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final on Sunday with a 2-1 loss to Mexico but will take valuable lessons from the tournament as they build towards next year's World Cup, coach Mauricio Pochettino said. The U.S. went ahead early in the game in Houston, Texas through Chris Richards's header but Mexico fought back through Raul Jimenez and Edson Alvarez to claim a 10th Gold Cup title. Pochettino told reporters that while it had been a painful night for his side the tournament had been excellent preparation for the 2026 World Cup, which the U.S. will co-host with Mexico and Canada. "It was a massive lesson for us. It was an amazing tournament to realize in the way that we wanted to grow," he added. "This is the way that I think we are going to find the way to compete better and better, and be very competitive and be in the place that we wanted to be. "When you lose a trophy or you lose a game it's really, really painful. But the most important thing is to have our head up because I think the tournament was fantastic and we keep going, that is the way we want to build our journey into the World Cup." The U.S. reached the final despite missing several key players, with Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah controversially opting out while Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna and Tim Weah were unable to play due to Club World Cup obligations. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Construction starts on Cross Island Line Phase 2; 6 MRT stations in S'pore's west ready by 2032 Singapore New SkillsFuture requirements by April 2026 to mandate regular training for adult educators Singapore MPs should not ask questions to 'clock numbers'; focus should be improving S'poreans' lives: Seah Kian Peng Singapore Sequencing and standards: Indranee on role of Leader of the House Asia Australian Erin Patterson found guilty of all counts in mushroom murders case Singapore askST Jobs: Facing intrusive demands from your employer? Here's what you can do Singapore NUS College draws 10,000 applications for 400 places, showing strong liberal arts interest Singapore Life After... blazing biomedical research trail in S'pore: Renowned scientist breaks new ground at 59 However, Pochettino did not want to discuss the impact the absences had. "I think the roster that we build is the roster that deserved to be here, and I think now is not the point to talk about the player that should be here or not," he said. The U.S. will next host South Korea and Japan in friendly matches in September. REUTERS
Straits Times
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Mexico beat US 2-1 to win 10th Gold Cup title
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Jul 6, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; United States defender Chris Richards (3) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Mexico during the 2025 Gold Cup Final at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images HOUSTON, Texas - Mexico defeated the United States 2-1 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on Sunday to successfully defend their CONCACAF Gold Cup crown and capture their 10th title in a pulsating final that delivered drama from start to finish. The U.S. went ahead just four minutes in when Sebastian Berhalter's free-kick found Chris Richards, whose powerful header struck the underside of the crossbar and cannoned straight down, with the referee confirming the goal was good. Mexico found the equalizer through Raul Jimenez in the 27th minute after the striker converted from close range. He then dedicated the goal to the late Diogo Jota, his former Wolverhampton Wanderers teammate, by holding up a Mexico shirt with the Portuguese forward's name on it. "We came from behind and are leaving with the title," Jimenez said. "It's great and really important to clinch the crown a summer before the World Cup. It's something we've been trying to do since the tournament began." Despite Mexico's first-half dominance they struggled to capitalise on numerous golden opportunities. Roberto Alvarado and 16-year-old Gilberto Mora both tested U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese, with Mora's venomous long-range effort requiring a crucial save from the American shot-stopper. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Construction starts on Cross Island Line phase 2; 6 MRT stations in S'pore's west ready by 2032 World Trump says US nears trade deals as tariff effective date delayed Singapore MPs should not ask questions to 'clock numbers'; focus should be improving S'poreans' lives: Seah Kian Peng Singapore Sequencing and standards: Indranee on role of Leader of the House Life Rock band My Chemical Romance to perform in Singapore in April 2026 Singapore NUS College draws 10,000 applications for 400 places, showing strong liberal arts interest Singapore Life After... blazing biomedical research trail in S'pore: Renowned scientist breaks new ground at 59 Singapore More students in Singapore juggle studying and working to support their families The U.S. created chances through the slick combination play of Malik Tillman and Berhalter but could not breach Mexico's resolute defence again. Alex Freeman came closest when his header struck Mexico goalkeeper Luis Malagon in the face and Diego Luna blazed the rebound over the crossbar. Mexico cranked up the pressure after the break and got the crucial second goal when Edson Alvarez powered home a header, though there was a nervous wait due to a VAR review for potential offside. However, the goal stood and the Mexican contingent erupted with wild celebrations. "I'm speechless. We spent 35 days in intense training, away from our families, with the intention of winning. There's certainly room for improvement, but we're leaving happy and with our feet firmly on the ground," midfielder Alvarez said. "When they first disallowed the goal, it was crazy. It threw me off balance, but I was really happy to see that it was valid." Patrick Agyemang had the chance to equalise in the dying minutes but his finish just missed the mark in a tense finale as Mexico held firm to secure their triumph. Mexico's victory secures back-to-back Gold Cup triumphs and brings them a record-extending 10th crown. Mexico also won the CONCACAF Nations Championship, the Gold Cup's predecessor, three times. REUTERS
The Star
07-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-Mexico beat US 2-1 to win 10th Gold Cup title
Jul 6, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; United States defender Chris Richards (3) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Mexico during the 2025 Gold Cup Final at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
