Mauricio Pochettino Faces First Defeat as U.S. Manager

Mauricio Pochettino faced his first defeat as head coach of the United States men’s national team, losing 2-0 to Mexico in a friendly match at Estadio Akron, Guadalajara. The former Chelsea manager had enjoyed a victorious debut just days earlier, leading the team to a 2-0 win over Panama. However, this match proved to be a setback as Pochettino acknowledged the team’s subpar performance.

Pochettino remarked, “Overall, I think Mexico were a little bit better than us and fully deserved the victory. This type of game is perfect for us to learn. But for us, it is a process.” Mexico opened the scoring midway through the first half with a stunning free-kick from Fulham striker Raul Jimenez, who curled the ball into the top corner. Cesar Huerta added a second goal, solidifying Mexico’s win and giving them a much-needed boost.

This victory came after their previous lackluster 2-2 draw against Spanish club Valencia which had drawn boos from their fans. The defeat marked the end of the United States’ seven-match unbeaten streak against Mexico. Key players such as Christian Pulisic, Ricardo Pepi and Weston McKennie missed the match and the U.S. struggled to create chances, managing only one shot on target throughout the game.

In a significant moment for Mexico, they bid farewell to their most-capped player Andres Guardado, who received a standing ovation in the 19th minute after earning his 182nd cap. While Mauricio Pochettino’s team has room for improvement, he remains focused on the process ahead as they learn from this experience.