HARRISON, N.J. (AP) – The US is consistent as it prepares to host next year’s World Cup. The Americans continue to lose to the top 25 teams, and the home game feels like a road match as fans cheer on their opponents.
“It’s certainly a shame to lose the game because we need to build confidence within ourselves and give the fans confidence after going to the World Cup.” 2-0 defeat to Korea Friendly.
A crowd of 26,500 cheered the Taegeuk Warriors, with son Heung-Min scoring in the 18th minute, setting the goal for Lee Dong-Gyeong on the 43rd. The 15th place American has won his last seven games against the top 25 teams, earning an outscore 17-3.
The constant positive outlook for director Mauricio Pockettino is essentially: what, am I worried?
“We need to win when the World Cup begins,” he said. “Too many examples of teams – they won in five years, then arrived at the World Cup, then not at their best. I was in Argentina in 2002. We arrived at the World Cup for five years, on bet (team) and went to the group stage.”
Pockettino pointed out that the US outperformed South Korea for the majority of the game, with a predicted goal of 2.23 from 17 shots, but visitors have a 5-0.74.
South Korea, No. 23, who played in the 11th World Cup, went ahead when Lee Jae Sung gave the through ball when his son broke past defender Tristan Blackmon and beat goalkeeper Matt Freeze to the far post.
South Korea doubled the lead when his son ran to Lee Jae Sung’s flick and fell Freeze. The ball rolled over to Lee Dongion and put the ball in the empty net with the back heel.
“We were very passive and provided space to score,” Pockettino said. “We showed a bit of lack of communication, but that’s normal.”
Half of the current roster is the Gold Cup, with several patrons not being asked for a match against South Korea or Tuesday’s match against 17th place Japan in Columbus, Ohio. Blackmon began his international debut at the age of 29.
Pockettino said Americans can’t judge “as if they’re a very integrated or stable team with a roster we’ve been playing together for four years.”
“I don’t think we’ll feel pressure to win. We obviously want to win, but they’re friendly, so this is a time when we can learn,” he said. Right back Serguinho DestyIt was first appearance since March 2024 after recovering from a torn right ACL. “We need to be sharp all the time, because even if you’re playing a pretty decent game, if you’re not sharp for a second, you can achieve your goal.”
After losing Conca Cuff Gold Cup Finals to Mexico In July, the US planned eight friendly matches before reporting training before the World Cup. The Americans’ World Cup opening match on June 12th will be their first competition in 11 months.
“At the end of the day, when the game really means something, you feel the importance of the game and you feel the difference in the level of intensity of the game like it does today, compared to the Gold Cup,” midfielder Tyler Adams said. “When the game means something, when you want to experience it in a group, everyone wants to play it all at 100% per game and play it in the finals, so they want to win silver products.
The seats were full of Korean red fans.
“It was like a home match,” Taegek Warriors manager Hong Myung Bo said.
Pockettino praised the opposing fans after dominating the stadium during a Gold Cup match between St. Louis’ Guatemala and Houston’s Mexico. He’s become more reserved this time.
“I want to be positive now and encourage the fans to come,” he said. He added at the World Cup, “With the help of the fans, we think it’s very difficult to beat.”
Pochettino revealed the advice he gave to players after the match on friendly matches when there was no video review.
“When you play a game without a VAR,” he said. “We need to be a little more prank.”
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