US coach Pochettino: 'Feels like we were eliminated, not won the group'

Despite securing the top spot in their World Cup group, U.S. Men's National Team coach Mauricio Pochettino conveyed a sense of dissatisfaction, stating his team felt as though they had been eliminated rather than having achieved first place. This sentiment followed a 3-2 defeat against Turkey, a match that held no consequence for the Turkish team but left the U.S. squad with a bitter taste.

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Our goal was to finish first, and we finished first. I am very positive and happy.

"Nobody has congratulated us on finishing first in our group right now," Pochettino remarked, before offering congratulations to his players, staff, and fans. "Our goal was to finish first, and we finished first. I am very positive and happy." He acknowledged the unusual circumstances of playing a team already eliminated while his own had already qualified, but emphasized the team's progress and their achievement of qualifying as the number one seed.

Defender Auston Trusty, who scored the opening goal for the U.S., echoed a mixed sentiment. "I felt we had a lot of chances during the game, and they didn't," he said. "Unfortunately, we lost, but you accept it and move on. We won the group, that's positive." Trusty added that while the loss was a learning experience, the team needed to prevent the ball from entering their net.

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We won the group, that's positive.

Midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, who scored the equalizer for the U.S., expressed a strong desire for victory. "I really wanted the win. I am very happy and proud to have helped the team, but in the end, we didn't win," he stated. Berhalter remains optimistic about the team's future, highlighting their strong performances and control in matches, while acknowledging the need to refine details and manage player health for the next stage.

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I really wanted the win. I am very happy and proud to have helped the team, but in the end, we didn't win.