USA supervisor Mauricio Pochettino has revealed how Son Heung-min is “like my son” after the pair shared a post-match chat following the South Korea icon’s pivotal position in a 2-0 pleasant win for his aspect in New Jersey on Saturday.
New LAFC signing Son latched on to Lee Jae-Sung’s cross and fired in from a good angle for the 18th-minute opener earlier than teeing up Lee Dong-Gyeong’s backheeled aim two minutes earlier than half-time.
“He got here to say hey,” mentioned Pochettino, who referred to as the Tottenham legend “among the finest strikers on the planet” however felt the hosts have been the higher crew regardless of slipping to a seventh defeat of their final eight matches in opposition to opponents inside the highest 30 of Fifa’s rankings.
“His English is wonderful however he’s studying Spanish. Heung-min Son is like my son.”
Son performed underneath Pochettino between 2014 and 2019 at former membership Tottenham, reaching the 2018/19 Champions League remaining collectively.
USA vs South Korea: Consequence ‘tough’
The USMNT had 17 of the 22 makes an attempt and 5 of the 9 on course between groups who’ve already reached the 2026 Fifa World Cup in Canada, the US and Mexico.
“We didn’t wrestle an excessive amount of,” mentioned Pochettino. “We [allowed] three pictures on course through the first half and conceded two objectives.
“We struggled to manage the house behind the defensive position for the 2 strikes resulting in objectives. We have been a bit of bit passive and confirmed a scarcity of communication, however that’s regular as a result of we have now new gamers.”
The USA’s Matt Freese made a positive save to show Oh Hyeon-Gyu’s 89th-minute header away, whereas Folarin Balogun was denied 3 times by South Korea goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-Woo throughout second-half added time.
“We mounted issues and have been higher within the second half,” claimed Pochettino. “It was tough to interrupt down their defensive position.
“They have been good as a result of their keeper was the person of the match. The keeper made unbelievable saves. Whenever you lose, it’s tough to seek out positives. It’s a foul feeling. However I’m glad.”
Son Heung-min: South Korea boss glad
Korea supervisor Hong Myung-bo praised Son after hinting through the build-up that the 33-year-old’s seven-year captaincy of his nation is underneath scrutiny.
“As our striker and our first line of protection, [he] did an excellent job main the crew,” mentioned Hong (by way of KoreaJoongAng Daily), including that Son “can deal with” getting used as a winger or striker by Korea.
“I’d prefer to congratulate him on his aim. This win will function an enormous increase for our crew. For the primary time shortly, we performed the best way we’re able to enjoying.
“The gamers all sacrificed their our bodies for this win. From offense to protection, we performed such a compact match and executed our plans very well.
“Inside our present tactical framework, we try to reduce defensive stress on Son and likewise permit him to maximise his strengths. The aim he scored was a major instance of that.”
Jens Castrop ‘nice assist’ for South Korea
Borussia Monchengladbach’s Jens Castrop changed Son within the 63rd minute after receiving his first call-up following the midfielder’s change of allegiance from Germany being authorised by Fifa final month.
Korea is the beginning nation of the mom of the 22-year-old, who’s the primary foreign-born participant to play for the Taegeuk Warriors.
“Although it was his first match, Castrop executed issues he’d labored on fairly effectively,” mentioned Hong. “I feel he might be of nice assist to the nationwide crew.”
USA crew vs Korea
Pochettino referred to as up 10 gamers with fewer than 10 caps every and 12 gamers from the run to the Gold Cup remaining.
Some senior stars have been disregarded to spend extra time with their golf equipment, together with midfielders Johnny Cardoso – a brand new Atletico Madrid signing – and Weston McKennie at Juventus.
Defender Sergino Dest began after coming back from damage, as did in-form Norwich Metropolis ahead Josh Sargent, who was again within the squad for the primary time since March. Tristan Blackmon additionally made his senior bow.
The USA face Japan in Ohio on Tuesday (19:30 ET / 16:30 PT / 00:30 on Wednesday BST).
USA beginning XI: Matt Freese, Sergino Dest, Sebastian Berhalter, Tim Ream, Max Arfsten, Tyler Adams, Tristan Blackmon, Timothy Weah, Diego Luna, Christian Pulisic, Josh Sargent
USA substitutes: Jonathan Klinsmann, Roman Celentano, Chris Richards, Jack McGlynn, Damion Downs, Luca de la Torre, Alex Freeman, Alex Zendejas, Nathan Harriel, Cristian Roldan
South Korea crew vs USMNT
Veteran goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu returned to Korea’s squad for the primary time since January 2024 and was on the bench.
Feyenoord and former Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Hwang In-beom was out injured.
South Korea will proceed to fulfill Mexico in Nashville on Tuesday (21:00 ET / 18:00 PT / 02:00 on Wednesday BST).
They are going to prolong their document of that includes at each version of the World Cup since 1986, having certified with a match to spare once they beat Iraq 2-0 in June by objectives by Oh and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors’ Kim Jin-gyu.
South Korea beginning XI: Jo Hyeon-Woo, Seol Younger-Woo, Kim Ju-Sung, Lee Tae-Seok, Min-Jae Kim, Lee Han-Beom, Lee Dong-Gyeong, Paik Seung-Ho, Kim Jin-Gyu, Lee Jae-Sung, Son Heung-Min
South Korea substitutes: Kim Seung-Gyu, Lee Myung-Jae, Park Yong-Woo, Search engine optimisation Min-Woo, Oh Se-Hun, Tune Bum-Keun, Kim Moon-Hwan, Park Jin-Seob, Bae Jun-Ho, Lee Kang-In, Oh Hyeon-Gyu, Byeon Jun-Soo, Jens Castrop, Jeong Sang-Bin, Kim Tae-Hyeon
USA vs Korea stats
- The USA had received two and drawn one of many final three conferences between the groups
- They’ve now misplaced three straight friendlies after being crushed 2-1 by Turkiye and 4-0 by Switzerland at house in June
- The USMNT failed to attain for the primary time in seven matches
- Korea received the fixture for the primary time since a 1-0 pleasant victory in Seogwipo in 2001
- They’d been on a 16-match unbeaten run and sequence of 4 consecutive wins and clear sheets earlier than a 1-0 defeat to Japan of their most up-to-date match on July 15
- The one event on which they’ve conceded multiple aim of their final 18 matches got here in a 3-2 World Cup qualifying win over Iraq final October
- Son scored 10 objectives throughout his nation’s qualifying marketing campaign and has a aim and two assists in 4 MLS appearances
