Mauricio Pochettino has laughed off any notion that U.S. men's national team players Tyler Adams and Malik Tillman disrespected Mexico star Gilberto Mora at a press conference.
The USMNT pair was asked a question about Mora on Friday, Oct. 2, ahead of a match between the USA and Mexico. The two players looked at one another and both started laughing, before Adams went on to give an answer praising the 17-year-old as "a fantastic talent."
But the laughter has generated controversy online and in the Mexican press, with some interpreting it as a sign that Adams and Tillman lacked respect for the 17-year-old.
Ahead of the match on Saturday, Oct. 3, Pochettino was asked about the incident during Telemundo's pre-game show.
"There's no bigger fool than
the person who doesn't want to understand," the USMNT coach began in Spanish.
"There’s a key factor here: Malik doesn't like the press. So, whenever a question was asked, he would always look over at Tyler — 'Tyler, you answer.' That smile was just him deferring to Taylor because Malik didn't want to answer, knowing how things get interpreted and taken out of context. You have to look at the whole press conference."
Pochettino added: "The issue is how things get interpreted. That’s why I say on the field, it’s a fierce rivalry, we want to beat Mexico, but off the field there is respect. At no point did anyone from this federation show disrespect, and that’s not our style."
Mora has marked himself as a star for Mexico in the future and present. Even at 17, he's already formed a key part of El Tri's side at the 2025 Gold Cup and 2026 World Cup.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pochettino laughs off claims USMNT stars disrespected Mexico's Gilberto Mora
