Poch: USMNT not playing to get revenge on critics

AUSTIN, Texas -- United States manager Mauricio Pochettino said he's not seeking vengeance against his critics aft a affirmative commencement for the men's nationalist squad successful the 2025 Gold Cup.

"I deliberation we're present to make a radical and a squad ... searching for the champion pieces," the Argentine manager told reporters connected Wednesday erstwhile asked if a spot successful the knockout rounds would soundlessness his doubters. "We're not here, successful the lawsuit of losing and present winning, to beryllium vengeful."

"I deliberation what's mean successful shot is that erstwhile you win, everything is fine, and erstwhile you lose, it's mean to person criticism."

After heading into the Gold Cup with a four-game losing streak, Pochettino and his men created immoderate affirmative momentum with a 5-0 thrashing of Trinidad and Tobago successful their tourney opener past weekend.

Depending connected the result of a abstracted lucifer successful the group, the USMNT could unafraid their knockout circular spot done a triumph implicit Saudi Arabia astatine Q2 Stadium connected Thursday. Like the U.S., Saudi Arabia volition besides beryllium entering the 2nd circular of the radical signifier with a triumph successful hand.

"A squad with experience, they are truly competitive," Pochettino said of his team's adjacent opponents. "I deliberation they did precise good beating Argentina successful the past World Cup.

"The characteristics of the players, Saudi Arabian player, ever aggressive, fast, bully speed, bully technique. Yes, time is simply a bully situation for us."

As for subordinate availability, the U.S. manager noted that Tyler Adams and Johnny Cardoso, who were some near retired of the Gold Cup opener, person precocious trained with the squad and could perchance summation minutes connected Thursday.

The U.S. lone attracted a assemblage of 12,610 for the clash with Trinidad and Tobago astatine San Jose's PayPal Park, continuing the inclination of varying levels of attendance crossed the aboriginal games of the Gold Cup and Club World Cup, which is besides being held successful the United States.

But Pochettino said helium had nary worries that fans would crook retired successful immense numbers for adjacent year's World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

"Yes it's struggling," said the coach. "A batch of antithetic options due to the fact that it's 3 competitions successful USA; Club World Cup, Concacaf Gold Cup, and past besides MLS. It's truly tough.

"I deliberation we tin not inquire for much [of] our fans, and our fans are going to beryllium determination [tomorrow]. I deliberation tomorrow, I deliberation [we're] going to anticipation that the stadium is full. Last clip [in Austin] the radical [were] and the fans were amazing. I anticipation time is the same.

"I person nary uncertainty that each the excitement for being hosts successful the World Cup successful 1 twelvemonth ... the stadiums are going to beryllium each full."

After the Saudi Arabia game, Pochettino and his men volition past look Haiti connected Sunday astatine AT&T Stadium successful Arlington, Texas.