Inglewood, California. – US Men’s National Team Manager Mauricio Pochtino demanded the political overtone of the ConcacAF Rashtra League semi -finals against Panama, “I think it’s a big mistake if we talk about politics because it is a big mistake because I think people are not waiting for us to talk in this way.”
Recent comments by President Donald Trump about Panama Canal Sovereignty introduced a layer of tension for high anticipated rematch between USMNT and Panama, followed by this Canaros‘Last summer Copa win 2–1 in Amrika.
But Pocheto said that his team’s preparations and attention are completely on competition, not on political background.
“We need to play for us. We need to feel proud to protect our flags and our badges,” Pochtino said during the Tuesday’s news conference.
“We need to play for our country, but always trying to be better on the pitch, defeating the opponent. And I think it’s a big mistake if we talk about politics because I think people are not waiting for us to talk in this way. That’s why I think that I am not strong and I feel that my situation and my situation is, I am not strong, I am not strong and my situation, I am not thinking about this situation.
Pocheto said, “We want to destroy Panama, we want to destroy the next one, and we want to win but destroy.” But he quickly clarified, “When I say we are destroyed, it is in a (game) way.”
Thomas Christian, the coach of Panama, was even more vigilant in his thoughts about the political overtones of the game.
“Political situation, this is not my business,” Christian said. “If you want to talk about football system or strategy, I am happy to talk about it. But politics, this (not the case).”
Canadian coach JC Marsh was also questioned about the impact on Tuesday that the ConcacAF of geopolitical incidents could be in the nations participating in the Nations League.
Marsh, a native of Wisconsin, said, “I am not going to be political right now.”
“I would say that I think by looking at 4 countries in hockey, you can see that the climate for sports in North America has been raised to national teams.
Last month, Marsh spoke extensively about tension between his country and Canada and called the US to remove ridiculous rhetoric about Canada being a 51st state. “
Pocheto said this was not the first time a political situation mixed with its professional life. Argentina has spent majority of its coaching career in the UK, which was strong in a war against Argentina for the control of Falkland Islands in 1982, which Argentina has said Las malvinas,
“I never had my way to mix all these situations,” he said.
“That’s why, please, we need to enjoy it, because football fans have fun, to enjoy, happiness is a great possibility of looking at four countries, four teams, which are amazing with amazing players, amazing coaching staff, with amazing coaches. I invite people to play and enjoy the game because I think it’s best game in the world.
Information of Associated Press was used in this report.
