USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino strongly believes they are not yet among the top contenders for this year’s World Cup.
The Stars and Stripes opened their campaign with convincing wins against Paraguay (4-1) and Australia (2-0) before narrowly losing to Turkey (3-2) in the group stage finale. As a result, they’ve drawn Bosnia and Herzegovina, who were third in Group B, as their first knockout opponents.
“First of all, I don’t believe that we are the favorites. We see in the last few days how difficult it is for all teams. I understand that maybe because we host the World Cup and we are here, but I think we have full respect for Bosnia,” Pochettino told reporters via Tom Bogert of The Athletic.
To Pochettino’s point, the USA have lost their past 10 matches against European sides. Ironically, their last win against a European nation came in a 2021 friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
MORE: ABC reporter draws flak for ignorant commentary ahead of the USA’s next World Cup game
The Stars and Stripes opened their campaign with convincing wins against Paraguay (4-1) and Australia (2-0) before narrowly losing to Turkey (3-2) in the group stage finale. As a result, they’ve drawn Bosnia and Herzegovina, who were third in Group B, as their first knockout opponents.
“First of all, I don’t believe that we are the favorites. We see in the last few days how difficult it is for all teams. I understand that maybe because we host the World Cup and we are here, but I think we have full respect for Bosnia,” Pochettino told reporters via Tom Bogert of The Athletic.
To Pochettino’s point, the USA have lost their past 10 matches against European sides. Ironically, their last win against a European nation came in a 2021 friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
MORE: ABC reporter draws flak for ignorant commentary ahead of the USA’s next World Cup game
4 months ago
