Pochettino’s peculiar 3-word message after USMNT’s tough Gold Cup qualification

1. “There’s a spirit that’s developed over the past month—of fighting, competing, and creating the kind of atmosphere where there’s no room for excuses. You have to give it your all and push through adversity,” said Pochettino, proud of his team’s character in the win over Costa Rica.

It came down to the wire against Piojo Herrera’s Costa Rica. In the end, penalty kicks were the decider: the United States escaped a potential upset similar to Panama’s shocker in the Concacaf Nations League and now stands just one step away from the Gold Cup final. The mission was clear—advance, no matter the style of play or overall performance. In times of crisis, a win is an oasis.

“There’s a spirit that’s developed over the past month—of fighting, competing, and creating the kind of atmosphere where there’s no room for excuses. You have to give it your all and push through adversity,” said Pochettino, clearly proud of the character his team showed against the Ticos.

Win, win, and win again. That’s the foundation for building a project that can enter the 2026 World Cup with real belief: “Willpower is the first thing you need—there’s no negotiating that. Talent comes afterward.”

“With the game tied 1–1, we found a little more composure in our play. The buildup became cleaner, we started finding players in open spaces, and we showed long stretches where our top guys were at their best in the final third,” analyzed the 53-year-old Argentine coach.

Pochettino full of praise for Matthew Freese, the hero of the night

When asked about the standout performance from goalkeeper Matthew Freese, Pochettino was quick to sing his praises: “We have great goalkeepers, and it’s always a tough decision. We wanted to give him an opportunity, especially given the situation surrounding Turner, to get to know another goalkeeper and give confidence to someone who truly deserved it.”

“I’m happy for him and for all our goalkeepers—because it’s also thanks to the people who help prepare them,” he concluded.