‘They Are the Heroes’ - Pochettino’s USMNT Show Their World Cup Fight

Mauricio Pochettino made sure the spotlight stayed on his players as the United States booked their place in the World Cup last 16 with a 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The USMNT had taken the lead through Folarin Balogun before the striker’s second-half red card left Pochettino’s side with ten men and a test of nerve. Malik Tillman’s free kick later put the result beyond doubt, capping a night where control and discipline mattered just as much as attacking flair.

Afterwards, Pochettino’s main message wasn’t about his own record, the next round, or the controversy over the red card. Instead, he focused on how the United States handled the pressure when it mattered most.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Pochettino said: “Now we need to show that we are a team, that we are united, and that was the moment to show to everyone and to show ourselves that is not only empty words when we say that we are a family, and I think the team showed the qualities, the capacity to compete, to fight for each other, and yes I think so proud, so proud about the player. They are the heroes. They are the principal actor, and they deserve all the credit.”

The United States faced a match-changing setback, a determined opponent, and the pressure of a home World Cup knockout tie. Yet they managed the occasion well, keeping their composure and never letting the game slip away from them.

Balogun’s red card is sure to be a talking point ahead of the last-16 clash with Belgium. The forward had already found the net before his dismissal, and unless the decision is overturned or the ban reduced, Pochettino will have a big call to make in attack.

The USMNT head coach made his own view of the decision clear.

“For me, never it’s a red card watching after on TV,” Pochettino said. “Never was the intention to step up of the player. That was a normal action in football that happened by accident and it’s never intentional. That is why for me, never it’s red card.”

Pochettino also pointed to the team’s reaction as a sign of their growing maturity.

“The player, I think, react very well,” Pochettino said. “We control that emotional part of the game that was so important. I think it surprised the player because in the way that we control our emotional game, I think how they managed this situation was amazing and showed that we are mature enough to keep continuing competing.”

Tillman’s goal gave the result a different feel in the closing stages. Rather than simply surviving, the United States found a way to add to their lead and give the crowd a moment to remember.

Pochettino was asked specifically about Tillman’s free kick and the midfielder’s contribution.

“Yeah, it was amazing,” Pochettino said. “I think Malik is an amazing player full of talent and we knew that he has that talent to the free kick and time to do what he did. So happy for him. Tough season for him in Leverkusen but I think now he’s enjoying and we are enjoying and the fans are enjoying about his football.”

Now, only Belgium stand between the United States and a place in the quarter-finals. Pochettino caught part of their win over Senegal and is well aware of the challenge that awaits in Seattle.

“We know very well that it’s a team full of quality,” Pochettino said. “For me, before to start the World Cup and after a few games, for me, it’s one of the contenders about to win that World Cup. Unbelievable quality, great coach. I know very well the coach and it’s going to be really tough and it’s going to be very competitive.”

There was no sense of fear in Pochettino’s words. He knows Belgium will test his team, especially if Balogun is missing, but he left the press conference with a clear sense of belief in what the United States are putting together.

“I think in football all is possible if you believe and we are going to believe that with all the respect to Belgium, with our fans in Seattle,” he said. “I think we can be very competitive and of course try to win the game and to go to the next round, but for that to happen we need to perform well and we need to deserve.”