INGLEWOOD, Calif. – U.S. men’s national team manager Mauricio Pochettino sought to play down the political overtones of Thursday’s Concacaf Nations League semifinal against Panama, stating “I think it’s a big mistake if we talk about politics because I think people [aren’t] waiting for us to talk in this way.”
U.S. President Trump’s recent comments regarding Panama Canal sovereignty introduced a layer of tension to the highly anticipated rematch between the USMNT and Panama, following the Canaleros’ 2-1 victory in last summer’s Copa América.
However, Pochettino stated that his team’s preparation and focus remain solely on the competition, not the political backdrop
“We need to play for us. We need to feel proud to defend our flag and our badge,” Pochettino said during Tuesday’s press conference.
“We need to play for our country, but always on the pitch trying to be better, to beat the opponent. And I think it’s big mistake if we talk about politics because I think people is not waiting for us to talk in this way. That is why I think, always. [It] was my way. That doesn’t mean that I am not strong and I have my values and my vision about the situation, but I think being respectful and being a very clear and a strong guy is…to say nothing and to be focused only to help the player who performs and try to win.”
Pochettino added, “We want to destroy Panama, we want to destroy the next one, and we want to win but destroy,” Pochettino said. But he quickly clarified, “When I say we destroy, it’s in a [sporting] way.”
Pochettino’s Panamanian counterpart, Thomas Christiansen, was even more circumspect in his thoughts about the game’s political overtones.
“The political situation, it’s not my business,” said Christiansen. “If you want to talk about football systems or tactics, I’m glad to talk about that. But politics, it’s not my [thing].”
Pochettino said this is not the first time a political situation has mixed with his professional life. The Argentine has spent much of his coaching career in the U.K., which in 1982 prevailed in a war against Argentina for control of the Falklands Islands, which Argentina refers to as Las Malvinas.
“To mix all these situations never was my way,” he said.
“That is why, please, we need to enjoy it, because soccer is about to have fun for the fans, to enjoy, happiness is a great possibility to see four countries, four teams that are amazing with amazing players, with amazing coaching staff, amazing coaches. I invite the people to come and enjoy the game because I’ve think this is, what for me, is the best game in the world.”
