Mauricio Pochettino apologizes to reporters for comments after Türkiye World Cup loss

U.S. Men’s National Team boss Mauricio Pochettino spoke with reporters ahead of their FIFA World Cup Round of 32 game against Bosnia and Herzegovina -Credit:Jamie Squire/Getty Images With the U.S. Men’s National Team set to take on Bosnia and Herzegovina in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 on Wednesday, head coach Mauricio Pochettino addressed reporters with around 24 hours to go - although the start of his press conference didn’t go as expected.

>Kicking things off, the Argentine opted to start by apologizing to the reporters for his response to a question about momentum after their recent 3-2 group stage finale loss to Türkiye.

>At the time, Pochettino said, via Tom Bogert, “I'm happy. Maybe I'm not showing because your questions are a little bit weird. I'm confused, maybe the vibes is like we go home tonight and Türkiye stays (in the World Cup), no?”

Uruguay out of World Cup as players forced to get commercial flights • >Australian soccer fans' anti-Donald Trump chant could spark World Cup controversyPochettino is looking to guide the USMNT to its first World Cup knockout stage win since 2002 -Credit:Jamie Squire/Getty ImagesThe game was essentially meaningless for both sides, with the USMNT having already secured the Group D crown and progress into the Round of 32 ahead of time thanks to their wins against Paraguay and Australia, whilst Türkiye had already been eliminated from knockout contention.

>As such, Pochettino made nine changes to his starting lineup, with his side seemingly en route to a 2-2 draw until deep into injury time when Kaan Ayhan scored the winner.

>This prompted some to question whether or not this loss would dent the team’s confidence heading into the Round of 32, where they will look to win their first World Cup knockout game since 2002.

>Speaking on Tuesday, Pochettino said, “I was frustrated and disappointed. It was my problem, not your problem. I was upset after the defeat, and I’m sorry.”

>Looking ahead to Wednesday’s game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, Pochettino said, per Peter Rutzler, “For us it’s the final of the World Cup tomorrow, if we don’t think in this way we are going to struggle.”

>To listen to the latest episode of 'All Out Soccer' - CLICK HERE

>Pochettino also pointed to both Germany and the Netherlands’ shock exits on Monday, saying, “We saw yesterday that no game is easy for anyone. It's all in. If we go through, then it's another final.”

>The former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea boss noted that in his mind, there are no such things as favorites, pointing not only to Germany’s defeat to Paraguay but also to Brazil’s narrow win against Japan.

>One issue the USMNT could fall victim to is the emotion of the occasion, something Pochettino is all too aware of. “A game like tomorrow is 85 percent, maybe 90 percent emotional,” he said.

>“If we can reduce that to 70, 60, 50, in order to play, and wait to put in the emotional side at the end, I think it’s much better. But it’s difficult to reduce for both teams.

>“In soccer, unpredictable things can happen, but we're trying to reduce that. To play free, and enjoy it. As Jorge Valdano said to me, 'Relaxation brings concentration.’”

Auston Trusty's game status for Wednesday remains uncertain -Credit:Jamie Squire/Getty ImagesThankfully for the USMNT, they head into the Round of 32 with a relatively clean bill of health. Pochettino said of center back Auston Trusty, who appeared to roll his ankle against Türkiye, “I hope he can be available,” while he was seemingly less optimistic about center back Mark McKenzie and midfielder Cristian Roldan, of whom he said, “It's going to be difficult.”