Mauricio Pochettino hits back at reporter’s question about USMNT ‘regulars’ after Uruguay win
The ex-Tottenham and PSG boss did not hide his frustration
USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino hit back at a reporter asking about missing ‘regulars’ following his team’s 5-1 friendly victory over Uruguay, saying he was “very disappointed” by the question.
The former Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain manager appeared visibly angry in his post-match press conference, shaking his head and calling the line of questioning a “very sad situation”.
The US, who will co-host next summer’s World Cup alongside neighbours Mexico and Canada, thrashed Marcelo Bielsa’s men at the Raymond James Stadium in Florida, with Alex Freeman scoring a brace.
Sebastian Berhalter, Diego Luna and Tanner Tessmann also found the net, while Giorgian de Arrascaeta netted for Uruguay, who also had Rodrigo Bentancur sent off.
The result was all the more impressive given the hosts were without several key players, but Pochettino, who faced off against the coach he once called “a second father”, refused to see it that way when questioned by a reporter.
“Maybe I think we need to stop the press conference,” said Pochettino. “I need to go to the dressing room, come back and start again the press conference. Because it’s like the opposite, like we lost 5-1.
“I am the USA coach! No janitor. Tell me which regular player you are talking about? Because I don’t understand what regular player means.
“Maybe I am tired and I don’t understand your English question. To be honest, [I am] very disappointed in the first two questions because I don’t know what you expect I am going to say when you say that no natural players were playing today or in the World Cup.
“Very sad. Very sad situation.”
The US’s victory matched their biggest ever win over South American opposition and, after an inconsistent start to Pochettino’s tenure following his appointment in September 2024, they have shown promising signs in recent months.
This was their third-straight victory, coming after wins over Paraguay and Australia, and they have lost just one of their last six matches.