Pochettino Storms Out After 3-2 Turkey Loss as USMNT Still Wins Group D
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 26
Pochettino Storms Out After 3-2 Turkey Loss as USMNT Still Wins Group D
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 26
Summary
Mauricio Pochettino abruptly ended his post-match press conference after the United States’ 3-2 loss to Turkey, repeatedly insisting the bigger story was that his team had already secured first place in Group D.
8th-minute stoppage-time winner from Turkey sealed the U.S. men’s first defeat of the tournament, but Pochettino said heavy rotation was deliberate because top spot was clinched after two games and several key players were protected from yellow-card risk.
Christian Pulisic returned from a calf issue for 30-plus minutes and looked sharp, which Pochettino said was one of the night’s main objectives ahead of the knockout stage.
6 points gave the U.S. its best-ever World Cup group-stage haul under the modern points system, and the Americans next face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32 in Santa Clara on Wednesday.