Pochettino: USMNT must be brave, show 'character' vs. Canada

United States men's national team coach Mauricio Pochettino wants to see a strong response from his players following their surprising defeat to Panama in the CONCACAF Nations League.

Pochettino, who bemoaned his team's lack of aggression and intensity after the humbling 1-0 semifinal loss, demanded a show of "character" ahead of Sunday's third-place match against continental rival Canada.

"I think what we want to see is the same focus and concentration and mental level in every single game, official (competition) or no official competition," he told reporters during his pre-match press conference, per Jeff Carlisle of ESPN. "And for me, (Sunday) is going to be a game, an important game to see how we react. We need to show character ... It's not only about the result but it's also about (improving) our performance."

The Argentine tactician called on his top playmakers, including AC Milan star Christian Pulisic, to put Thursday's tentative performance behind them, saying they must play with more freedom and "trust that they can make a mistake."

"People that take risks is what we want, what we love and you cannot play football without risk," he added. "If you want to play safe, you are not going to affect the game. That is the important thing that also we were talking (about) yesterday - to take risks, is to be brave."

Pochettino said he accepts and understands the intense criticism directed at his side in recent days. Thursday's loss was viewed by many as a significant step backward for a team that's running out of opportunities to prepare for next year's World Cup, which the U.S. is co-hosting alongside Canada and Mexico.

Canada head coach Jesse Marsch, a Wisconsin native who was once in the running for the U.S. job, is acutely aware of the conversations being had around the USMNT right now.

"I've heard from the camp that they're internally disappointed with their performance. Then, in the media here in the U.S., I think the media has been very aggressive about how disappointed they are in this team and now they've turned a little bit and put it toward the players," Marsch said. "So we would be very foolish that if based on those two factors, we don't expect a real hard game and a big response from the U.S. national team."

Marsch, who noted that the political rhetoric and climate surrounding the contest has "calmed" somewhat of late, expects his team to rise to the occasion following its own 2-0 semifinal loss to Mexico.

"Our guys are excited about the challenge. The disappointment of the game against Mexico is behind us," he said.

"I think we know there's some things that we can do better, but overall the performance was strong and our team continues to show that we are a good team and that we're going to continue to get better."

Canada won 2-1 when these two teams last met in a friendly match in Kansas City in September. The result was Canada's first away victory over the United States since 1957.

"I'd rather coach our team right now, 100%. No questions asked," Marsch said after that triumph, which came before Pochettino took his place on the USMNT bench.