Mauricio Pochettino remains unhappy with the USMNT’s inconsistent intensity

On By Littum

The USMNT secured a 4-2 victory over Jamaica in the second leg of the Concacaf Nations League quarter-finals, but Mauricio Pochettino was not impressed with the team’s intensity and mentality in the second half.

The US men’s national team took an early and dominant 3-0 lead over Jamaica at CITYPARK. A half-break from Christian Pulisic, an own goal from Jamaica’s Di’Shon Bernard and a Ricardo Pepi strike gave the hosts a three-goal cushion heading into the break.

The Stars and Stripes took their foot off the gas in the second half, allowing Demarai Gray to find the back of the net twice in 15 minutes. However, Tim Weah scored an insurance goal for the USMNT, sending the hosts through to the Concacaf Nations League semifinals.

Although the USMNT’s victory never really looked in doubt, Pochettino spoke to the media about the team’s lack of consistency over the full 90 minutes.

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“In the second half we didn’t approach the game the way we wanted,” Pochettino said. “The goal was to win the second half and we didn’t approach it with the same intensity and mentality. It shows that we still have things to improve.”

Despite the shortcomings in the second 45 minutes, Pochettino still praised the team’s performance in the first half. “For 45 minutes we played in a way we want to grow and it was great for the players.”

The USMNT’s four-goal haul against Jamaica marks the first time the Stars and Stripes have found the back of the net four times since October 2023. In fact, the USMNT went 11 straight games in 2024 without scoring more than two goals in a single game. .

The team may not be exactly where Pochettino wants at the moment, but the USMNT is showing signs of massive improvement that could take the side to new heights on the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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