March 20 – When Canadian national team boss Jesse Marsch threw a political grenade at SoFi Stadium two weeks ago in the direction of US President Donald Trump, he embraced sports and politics.
His American-Argentine counterpart, USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino, was a little more ginger with the subject when quizzed prior to his team’s semifinal match-up against Panama in the Concacaf Nations League.
“I think it’s a big mistake if we talk about politics because I think people [aren’t] waiting for us to talk in this way,” he said.
In Panama, instead of focusing on football, they’ve got their attention diverted by Trump’s claims that the famed Panama Canal should revert to US control.
However, Pochettino was keen to keep politics out of the conversation. “We need to play for us. We need to feel proud to defend our flag and our badge,” Pochettino said during Tuesday’s news conference. “We need to play for our country, but always on the pitch trying to be better, to beat the opponent.
“I think it’s big mistake if we talk about politics because I think people aren’t waiting for us to talk in this way. That is what I think, always. [It] was my way. That doesn’t mean that I am not strong and I have my values and my vision about the situation, but I think being respectful and being a very clear and a strong guy is … to say nothing and to be focused only to help the player who performs and try to win.”
Pochettino added: “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 destroy, it’s in a [sporting] way.”
Panamanian coach Thomas Christiansen was even keener to avoid any political landmines, saying: “The political situation, it’s not my business. If you want to talk about football systems or tactics, I’m glad to talk about that. But politics, it’s not my [thing].”
Perhaps chastened or fearing his US passport will be taken from him, Marsch opted for the high ground this time around, saying: “I’m not going to get political right now.
“I will say that I do think from watching the four nations in hockey, you can see that the climate for sports in North America has been elevated for national teams. I’m really hopeful that this tournament can be the best reflections of our societies, in that we don’t have to waste time booing anthems and getting caught up in politics, and we can just focus on the players, the teams and supporting the love of the game. Then whatever your nationality is, that you can support your team all the way.”
Whether it is football or politics on display, there can be no denying that the Nations League has got some additional spice and Pochettino, with his Argentine background, knows a little about countries that have animosity, having spent a large part of his management career in England. In 1982 the Falklands War saw his country (Argentina) embark on a bitter and ultimately losing conflict with the United Kingdom over Islas Malvinas.
“To mix all these situations never was my way,” he said. “That is why, please, we need to enjoy it, because soccer is about having fun for the fans, to enjoy. Happiness is a great possibility to see four countries, four teams that are amazing with amazing players, with amazing coaching staff. I invite the people to come and enjoy the game because I think this is, for me, the best game in the world.”
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1742478654labto1742478654ofdlr1742478654owedi1742478654sni@o1742478654fni1742478654