USA coach Mauricio Pochettino says it would be ‘big mistake’ to talk politics ahead of Concacaf Nations League

Although the Concacaf Nations League is a tournament that will best present that the Confederation has to offer, this year’s edition comes during a weak political climate between participants Mexico, Canada, Panama and the United States. In the run -up to the tournament, Canadian head coach and American Jesse Marsch expressed himself against President Donald Trump’s comments about making Canada the 51st state During a press conference of a Nations League in February. Mexico Coach Javier Aguirre even commented on Trump who signed an executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America and said, “For me it is the Gulf of Mexico.”

Preparation for Panama on Thursday 20 March in Sofi Stadium On Paramount+ At 7 p.m., Mr. Coach Mauricio Pochettino of the United States, Men’s National Team. Who was not at the press conference in February, did not want to make a mistake where the focus was.

“I was talking now because I found Jesse Marsch on the field and we were talking in a very good way. We are so friendly because we know each other from Europe. I think we can’t combine political things with the sport in my career. It’s not because I don’t want to talk,” Pochettino said.

“We have qualified people who can talk about politics, but I am not an expert in politics. Of course I have my ideas as a 53-year-old, but it is not the point for me to mix.

“Football is football or football, football for me, but we want to destroy Panama, we want to destroy the next one and we want to win but destroy. If I say we are destroying, it is in one [sporting] way. We want to beat them and win the game, and I think that motivation cannot come from various diplomatic problems that we cannot be involved, players cannot be involved. We have to play for ourselves, we must feel proud to defend our flag. We always have to play on the field for our country to be better than the opponent. I think it’s a big mistake when we talk about politics, because people don’t wait for us to talk this way. “

Pochettino continued to state that football is a sport that needs to be enjoyed, because it is the best sport in the world for him and something fun for the fans to enjoy. Tensions are high between the United States and Canada at sports level as seen during the 4 Nations Hockey Tournament Where Canadian fans held the American national anthem and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also posted a party on X when Canada won that tournament.

“You can’t take our country – and you can’t take our game,” said Trudeau.

“I’m not going to be too political now. I have announced my opinion,” said Marsch. “You can see that the climate for sport in North America has been elevated for national teams. I really hope that this tournament can be the best reflection of our societies and that we don’t have to waste time on the Booen of folk songs and get caught in politics.”