USMNT's Pochettino Treating Next Match Like World Cup Final, HC Apologizes After Turkiye Loss

Every game for the rest of the World Cup is win-or-go-home for the United States men's national team, and head coach Mauricio Pochettino is approaching Wednesday's round of 32 contest against Bosnia and Herzegovina accordingly.

"Tomorrow is the final of the World Cup," Pochettino said Tuesday, per Tom Bogert of The Athletic. "And if we are capable to go through, the next game will be the final of the World Cup."

While the 3-2 loss to Türkiye in the final match of group play didn't matter for the Americans' outlook since they had already secured their spot atop the group, Pochettino had a similar intensity for that one and was so upset he told reporters some of their questioning was "petty" in the aftermath.

"Making history is winning the World Cup. It's not winning three matches only within the World Cup," he said. "I don't really understand. It's a little bit petty if you will—you're thinking a little too small. You're telling me you could make history—what does it mean to win three matches if you lose the next one?"

He apologized for his tone Tuesday.

"I was frustrated and disappointed," Pochettino said. "It was my problem, not your problem. I was upset after the defeat and I'm sorry."

That questions after the Türkiye defeat were about the loss and not congratulatory for winning the group highlights how expectations have elevated around the United States men's program. Just reaching the knockout stage, especially as one of the hosts of the World Cup, is no longer good enough in the eyes of many.

And while Bosnia and Herzegovina will pose quite the challenge, it's not as if the Americans are playing France or Argentina either. A loss would be a massive disappointment with the opportunity to advance deep in the tournament.

Pochettino surely knows that and is approaching it as if it is a World Cup final. That means star player Christian Pulisic could be in line for a full 90-plus minutes despite missing time in the group stage with a calf injury.

He said he is "feeling good," so it is reasonable to expect him to start.

If he does, he can help lead the United States one step closer to the actual World Cup final with a victory.