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<ul><li>Pochettino emphasized team deserved more </li><li>USMNT coach highlighted progress made </li><li>Argentina native framed defeat as a strengthening experience for 2026 World Cup</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

'We deserved more' - Mauricio Pochettino shows raw emotion following USMNT's heartbreaking Gold Cup final defeat

Mauricio Pochettino struggled to contain his emotions while addressing the team in a behind-the-scenes video following the USMNT’s 2-1 defeat to Mexico in the 2025 Gold Cup final. The USMNT head coach praised his players’ resilience in what he described as an adverse situation and highlighted the growth they’ve shown since the previous camp. He even noted that members of the victorious Mexican team had acknowledged how much more competitive the U.S. had become.“You deserved more,” Pochettino said on Behind the Crest by U.S. Soccer. “And in the way you worked, the staff, everyone, I think today we deserved more. To lift the trophy because I think the performance was there, I think you fought with too many adversities, too many factors against you. That is not going to kill us, it’s going to make us stronger, and I want you to never give up. I think we still have time to be better, keep improving, but please don’t change." The U.S. featured a largely young squad in their run to the Gold Cup final, with several players getting their first experience at a competitive tournament. Despite missing several stars, including Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Tim Weah, among others, the team showed significant progress under the Argentine's leadership. “For me, I feel so proud of you, but don’t change. That’s in the way that we build for the next, and the next, and the next until we get to the World Cup. And I think, if you change, we will find another way, but I think we all realize that we can be competitive, we can win, and we were so close, and people start to understand. Because Mexico was now saying to me in Spanish, ‘Well done, how you’ve played, how the team is so strong, how difficult it is to play against you,'" said Pochettino. He added, “And believe me, in the past for sure, from October when we were here, we were talking about ‘Come on guys, come on guys, we need to be a team, we need to be a team’. And for sure it’s so painful now, but I think we need to have our heads up, because you did everything. I am so proud and I think all of the people outside will feel the same.”

WHAT HAPPENED

Pochettino's passionate speech can be seen at the 9:55 mark of the latest episode of the USMNT's Behind the Crest. <iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="362" src="https://youtube.com/embed/PRPPQGb4rK0" title="YouTube video player" width="644"></iframe>

WATCH THE LATEST BEHIND THE CREST

The USMNT's performance throughout the 2025 Gold Cup tournament represents significant growth since Pochettino's challenging start as head coach. Despite the disappointment of losing the final, reaching the championship match against regional powerhouse Mexico showed a substantial improvement in competitiveness, tactical execution, and team chemistry.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The USMNT will return to action in September for FIFA international fixtures against South Korea and Japan as Pochettino continues refining his player pool and tactical approach.

WHAT’S NEXT?

'We deserved more' - Mauricio Pochettino shows raw emotion following USMNT's heartbreaking Gold Cup final defeat | Goal.com

The USMNT head coach displayed rare vulnerability during a behind the scenes video after the team&apos;s 2-1 loss to Mexico in the 2025 Gold Cup final