Pochettino defends US performance after loss to Turkey, emphasizes group stage success
ESPN • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 26, 2026, 6:58 AM
Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Mauricio Pochettino expressed frustration during a postgame conference after the US lost to Turkey 3-2 on June 26. He criticized media questions regarding the loss, emphasizing that the team had already secured first place in Group D. The US had impressive prior victories, including a historic 4-1 win over Paraguay and a 2-0 win against Australia. Despite the defeat to Turkey, Pochettino highlighted the importance of their group success and dismissed concerns about momentum as the team moves on to the next stage of the tournament.
- •US loses 3-2 to Turkey on June 26.
- •Pochettino calls media questions about the loss 'weird'.
- •US topped Group D after earlier wins over Paraguay and Australia.
- •The team prepares for the knockout round despite the loss.
- •Pochettino emphasizes the need for recognition of the group's success.
- 7:33 AMESPN — Poch puzzled by 'weird' questions: We 'won group'
- 6:29 AMYahoo Sports — Pochettino chides press for questions after 3-2 loss to Turkey: ‘We won the group’
- 6:29 AMThe Guardian Sport — Pochettino chides press for questions after 3-2 loss to Turkey: ‘We won the group’
"Mauricio Pochettino criticized questions over his team’s performance in a 3-2 loss to Turkey on Thursday, telling journalists he expected to be congratulated for leading the US to a first-place finish in the group and found their questions about the dead-rubber loss “weird”. The US had secured top spot in Group D on the back of two historic performances – a 4-1 opening win against Paraguay in which the team scored more goals in a World Cup match than ever before, and a 2-0 victory over Australia that secured a first six-point opening to a World Cup. Much of the discussion going into the match against Turkey centered on whether the US would be able to maintain the considerable momentum gained through those results and performances.
"US manager says his team deserve congratulations Plays down talk of momentum and focuses on positives Mauricio Pochettino criticized questions over his team’s performance in a 3-2 loss to Turkey on Thursday, telling journalists he expected to be congratulated for leading the US to a first-place finish in the group and found their questions about the dead-rubber loss “weird”. The US had secured top spot in Group D on the back of two historic performances – a 4-1 opening win against Paraguay in which the team scored more goals in a World Cup match than ever before, and a 2-0 victory over Australia that secured a first six-point opening to a World Cup. Continue reading...
"Mauricio Pochettino was combative and seemingly frustrated with the news media during his postgame news conference Thursday night, telling reporters after the United States lost to Türkiye 3-2, we still won the group.
Sources
External links- ESPNJun 26, 2026, 7:33 AMPoch puzzled by 'weird' questions: We 'won group'
Mauricio Pochettino was combative and seemingly frustrated with the news media during his postgame news conference Thursday night, telling reporters after the United States lost to Türkiye 3-2, we still won the group.
- Yahoo SportsJun 26, 2026, 6:29 AMPochettino chides press for questions after 3-2 loss to Turkey: ‘We won the group’
Mauricio Pochettino criticized questions over his team’s performance in a 3-2 loss to Turkey on Thursday, telling journalists he expected to be congratulated for leading the US to a first-place finish in the group and found their questions about the dead-rubber loss “weird”. The US had secured top spot in Group D on the back of two historic performances – a 4-1 opening win against Paraguay in which the team scored more goals in a World Cup match than ever before, and a 2-0 victory over Australia that secured a first six-point opening to a World Cup. Much of the discussion going into the match against Turkey centered on whether the US would be able to maintain the considerable momentum gained through those results and performances.
- The Guardian SportJun 26, 2026, 6:29 AMPochettino chides press for questions after 3-2 loss to Turkey: ‘We won the group’
US manager says his team deserve congratulations Plays down talk of momentum and focuses on positives Mauricio Pochettino criticized questions over his team’s performance in a 3-2 loss to Turkey on Thursday, telling journalists he expected to be congratulated for leading the US to a first-place finish in the group and found their questions about the dead-rubber loss “weird”. The US had secured top spot in Group D on the back of two historic performances – a 4-1 opening win against Paraguay in which the team scored more goals in a World Cup match than ever before, and a 2-0 victory over Australia that secured a first six-point opening to a World Cup. Continue reading...
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