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