“Pochettino admits mistakes after defeat against Portugal.”

Mauricio Pochettino did not hide his frustration following the heavy defeat of the United States against Portugal (0-2), but he acknowledged that the American team showed the ability to compete against one of the powerhouses of world football. The Argentine coach issued a clear warning: the U.S. needs to correct crucial mistakes if they want to dream big in the 2026 World Cup, which will take place on North American soil.

“We have to consider who we played against in these two matches, Belgium and Portugal, who are at the top of the FIFA ranking. Although it is difficult, this is the way to improve and understand how these teams compete. We managed to be competitive, but we need to improve,” Pochettino stated, who had already seen his team suffer a 5-2 defeat at home to Belgium during this FIFA break.

The Argentine coach did not hold back in criticizing how his team gave too much space to the talented Portuguese players. “When we give space to players like Gonçalo Ramos, Bruno Fernandes, Pedro Neto, or João Félix, they can score, and that’s what happened. It was tactical and individual details that decided the game. Over the 90 minutes, we were intense and aggressive, but we can lose on details, and that’s what happened, especially when we play against teams of this level, like Portugal,” Pochettino emphasized.

This setback highlights that the United States national team, despite showing progress, still has many rough edges to smooth out in order to establish itself on the world football map. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, the pressure is mounting and the expectations are high for the American squad to learn from its mistakes and convert talent into tangible results.

Portugal, in turn, confirmed its status as favorites and showcased the quality of a squad filled with stars, who capitalized on every gap created by the American defense. The match served to reinforce the notion that the team led by Pochettino is still far from the level of the top national teams, but with work and adjustments, it could surprise.

This defeat makes it clear that the United States cannot continue to offer leniency to top opponents, lest they see their dream of a home World Cup fade away prematurely. Pochettino’s message is unequivocal: it is necessary to grow, be more rigorous, and not give space to the opposing stars. The 2026 World Cup is indeed just around the corner, and the fight for global glory begins in the tactical details and the concentration of all for the full 90 minutes.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.