Pochettino apologises to press after World Cup outburst ahead of USA's Bosnia clash

Mauricio Pochettino opened his pre-match press conference on Tuesday with an apology to reporters, taking responsibility for his sharp response to questions about the United States’ momentum after their 3-2 group-stage defeat to Turkey.

The loss, which came deep into stoppage time through a Kaan Ayhan winner, was largely inconsequential for the USMNT — they had already clinched Group D and secured their Round of 32 place via victories over Paraguay and Australia. Pochettino had made nine changes to his starting XI for the match, but when journalists questioned whether the defeat could dent the squad’s confidence, he snapped, calling the questions “weird” and accusing reporters of acting as though the USA had already been eliminated.

On Tuesday, he walked that back. “I was frustrated and disappointed,” Pochettino said. “It was my problem, not your problem. I was upset after the defeat, and I’m sorry.”

Looking ahead to Wednesday’s fixture at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, against Bosnia and Herzegovina, the former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea manager made clear he expects nothing less than a final-level performance. “For us it’s the final of the World Cup tomorrow,” he said. “If we don’t think in this way we are going to struggle.”

Pochettino pointed to Monday’s shock eliminations of Germany and the Netherlands as a reminder that no result is guaranteed at this stage. “We saw yesterday that no game is easy for anyone,” he said. “It’s all in. If we go through, then it’s another final.”

He also noted Brazil’s narrow win against Japan as further evidence that supposed favourites carry no guarantees, adding that he does not believe in the concept at a World Cup.

One concern Pochettino flagged was the emotional weight of the occasion — a factor he believes could affect both sides. “A game like tomorrow is 85 percent, maybe 90 percent emotional,” he explained. “If we can reduce that to 70, 60, 50, in order to play, and wait to put in the emotional side at the end, I think it’s much better.”

The USA are chasing their first World Cup knockout-round victory since 2002, when they reached the quarter-finals. A win over Bosnia and Herzegovina would represent a significant milestone for a squad playing in front of a home crowd at a tournament the country is co-hosting.