Mauricio Pochettino has preached about culture and a team willing to fight – and a scrap vs Costa Rica showed results

ST. LOUIS – There were plenty of highlight-worthy moments in the U.S. men's national team's win over Costa Rica. The goal from Diego Luna to ignite the team was one. So, too, was Max Arfsten's finish, one that capped off a wild story that may or may not have ended in redemption. And there was the shootout, in which Matt Freese saved three of Costa Rica's six attempts to book a spot in the Gold Cup semifinal.

Those were big moments, but the one the USMNT are taking about came in the first half, when a team at their lowest fought back. Literally.

Following Malik Tillman's missed penalty, the midfielder was taunted by opposition players. The U.S. instantly decided that they wouldn't let that stand, rushing in to defend their teammate in a scuffle that, in hindsight, was a turning point. This is a group that has spent the last month traveling the country together and, in that moment, the group unanimously decided that they wouldn't let one of their own be targeted.

"It's something that we maybe have not necessarily had enough of in the past, seeing guys get along like this," Tim Ream told reporters. "I said it after the game the other day to a few of the guys, but watching them work for each other in heated moments – moments where Malik has a guy in his face – and watching everyone rush in, it may sound weird but that's such an enjoyable thing to see.

"It shows that, 'OK, finally, we're a group of guys and we're going to push back'. You're not going to push us around. We're not going to take that kind of sh*t anymore. We have personalities in here, and to see them all gelling together has been nice."

That attitude hasn't always been apparent. Yes, there have been scuffles involving the group's main players in the past. You can look back at the infamous 2023 CONCACAF Nations League final against Mexico, arguably the high point of this cycle both on the field, and in terms of togetherness.

Fighting isn't always the smartest solution, of course, and there are consequences – yellow cards, red cards are at risk. In certain moments, though, scraps can unite a team and – in a summer in which the talking points have been so focused on passion, effort and a willingness to wear the shirt – the USMNT indicated that they're willing to stick up for one another amid antagonism.

"It needs to be natural between them, and that is why they deserve credit, the experienced players and the young players who listen to the experienced players," manager Mauricio Pochettino said. "If not, it's impossible to grow like a team or be a team. We can select 26 players, but to be a team? That is a different thing. This group of players, this is what we want."

Getty Images SportBacking Tillman

Everyone saw what happened, and the reaction was instantaneous. The entire squad wanted to step in and fight for Tillman – even those who knew they couldn't. Tyler Adams stayed back, smartly, because he was on a yellow card. He wanted to mix it up, he admitted, but was smart enough to stay out.

"I think this guy next to me is always going to be involved because he likes to fight," Pochettino joked on Tuesday, referring to Adams. "It's not only him! It's the whole group. The keeper also ran 100 meters to be in the fight. That's amazing! I'm from Argentina and we love to fight. And that means a lot because it means we are connected, that we care about our teammates."

Those on the bench held their ground, too, despite their eagerness to back Tillman. They watched on alongside Pochettino, smirking. They, too, know what it meant.

"Oh yeah, you want to get into that," acknowledged Jack McGlynn, who was among the substitutes who watched from afar. "That's the thing – you want to help your guy. Malik's been great for us all tournament, so you want to protect him no matter what. It was great to see all of the guys on the field do that."

As one of the veterans, that moment was a source of pride for Ream. At 37, he has seen his share of scuffles and melees. He's wise enough to know that you generally need to avoid them. Not this one, he says. This was different. It felt important. It was about sending a message, both to Costa Rica and others.

"I just think it's one of those things where you have to look who's on the field in that instance – and Malik's probably one of the quietest guys in our group," Ream said. "To see that happen to him? No, you're not going to pick on our quietest guy. Listen, I'm not one to rush in, but even I was like, 'Nah, this isn't happening.' I think it's just understanding what everyone's personality is, and understanding what they will take and what they will give. It's nice to see that guys can take some, but we're going to give it back twofold."

That message was sent to Costa Rica. It was sent to Guatemala – the USMNT's opponent in Wednesday night's Gold Cup semifinals – and whoever else gets in their path this summer. It was also sent to the guys watching from home, those U.S. players not on this summer's squad. This is the standard, the mentality that needs to translate to the moments ahead.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesBuilding bonds

When Ream says this is something that the U.S. has been lacking, it's not a shot at those not in camp. It's more of a compliment to the teammates who have been on this journey. They all came with a point to prove and they've all bonded over those points. That mentality has permeated throughout the group.

"I just think it's the personalities," Ream said. "I think when you have a group of personalities together, guys who have maybe more of a chip on their shoulder than others, that's something that they take with them. I don't think it's a knock on anybody else.

"I sit back and watch these guys in the game, in the changing room, at meals, and the bonds that are being created in such a short amount of time. I don't think you can speak about it enough."

Diego Luna has been the poster boy, the player that stepped into the spotlight and continued to fight for everything that has come his way. He certainly hasn't been alone. Berhalter joined the team knowing he'd have to prove that he's more than just Gregg's son.

Max Arfsten shook off mistakes against Costa Rica to, as he put it, get his get-back. Luca de la Torre pointed out on Tuesday that he couldn't even remember if he'd started two games in a row for the U.S. leading up to the five consecutive starts he got this summer.

Much of the fight has also come from the simple fact that these players have been sacrificing, fighting and, ultimately, coming together as a group. They have spent weeks in hotels and at meals and training together, and those moments have helped this team click in a unique way.

"The other day we were at dinner and there were three tables," Pochettino said. "You could see how they connect between the tables. You feel the energy. There weren't three tables, but one big one, because they felt so connected.

"That is a spontaneous situation. You cannot force it and you cannot push it. All we can do is create the platform and say, 'Come on.' That is the way. That is why we feel so proud to be part of this."

Getty ImagesSurviving in CONCACAF

"I've studied a lot of film over the years and have seen guys get into it. I've heard how CONCACAF is. You've got to keep a level head, but you have to have that edge, too… We're all smart enough and I think we're never going to do something crazy, but, yeah, you have to stick up for your teammates."

That's Sebastian Berhalter speaking. And of course, he was downplaying his CONCACAF knowledge. He was raised watching these types of games. That's what happens when your father is both a former USMNT player and head coach.

Berhalter knows more than anyone, then, that playing in this region is often like walking a tightrope. You can't let teams push you around, of course, and you have to find a way to fight back and maintain that edge. Getting too close to the edge, though, results in chaos.

You can ask Canada about that. In their quarterfinal against Guatemala, Jacob Shaffelburg was just a bit too reckless, earning two yellow cards in a matter of minutes to give Guatemala a man advantage. Canada were talented enough that they were able to get to penalties, but lost the shootout. With more discretion, Shaffelburg would have finished the game and Canada could have been the team playing the U.S.

There's an added element to it, too. Per FIFA's rules, Shaffelburg is suspended for Canada's next competitive match. That will be the 2026 World Cup opener. Knowing that, the U.S. must understand the consequences of going too far over the line.

"I think everybody understands that they have to be smart," Ream said. "Everybody understands that, if they're on a yellow, you may have to make a different decision. That's experience from Tyler [to not get one against Costa Rica], and you look at Chris [Richards] and he gets a yellow in that melee and then plays the rest of the game to perfection and never puts himself in position to get a second one.

"I think we all have these kinds of experiences as we get older and get more games under our belt, more situations where we play with yellow cards. You learn and understand what you can and can't get away with."

Getty ImagesThe next test

The bonding and support are all nice, of course, but the USMNT won't win the Gold Cup simply because of togetherness or passion – they could win it by using those things to their advantage. They are the more talented team heading into Wednesday's semifinal, but there's little doubt that Guatemala will bring their own CONCACAF toughness to the field.

Can the U.S. match it – or better yet, exceed it?

"I think it's very clear that, any time you play for your national team, you're playing against 11 guys who know what they need to do and who are extremely motivated," De la Torre said. "We have to want it just as much, if not more, than them if we want a chance of winning."

One of Pochettino's big goals this summer was to instill some fight into the group, and then have that fight manifest itself in results. After losing four straight matches to enter the Gold Cup, the USMNT have now won four straight, with two more to go if they want to lift the trophy for the first time since 2021.

"This is how we feel, how we want to represent our country and fight for our flag, for our shirt," Pochettino said. "There are many aspects that factor in sometimes, whether it's on-pitch situations, decisions of the referee, the pitch being dry or wet, different things.

"But all of it is in our hands. I think this group is going to give everything to earn what we want to earn – to arrive at the final – and then go there and try to make the people and our families proud."