BJ Callaghan: “We have great respect for Mexico”

Mexico and the United States head into battle this evening in the latest episode of a long-standing rivalry with a place in the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League final at stake. Las Vegas’ Allegiant stadium is the stage for tonight’s semi-final - where the Stars and Stripes will be looking to continue their good run against the Aztecs in recent meetings. Mexico meanwhile will be hoping to get their revenge for losing the 2021 final to the USMNT - a painful 3-2 defeat in extra-time in Denver.

In the hours leading up to the match, USMNT head coach BJ Callaghan spoke at a press conference, giving his thoughts on what this confrontation represents and having to beat Mexico to get to the final: “As professionals, these are the type of games we all want to play in, we all want to be part of. Games like this - of high intensity, high stakes, rivalry-type, knockout-type games, these are the moments that we want to prove to ourselves that we can handle” the coach told reporters.

Regarding his position with the USMNT and the relevance of his internship for this match: “Specifically to Mexico, we have a great respect for them and we do understand that there’s a rivalry and the rivalry can ebb and flow with results, but that never changes the way that we approach an opponent of their caliber”.

Experience within the USMNT project

He continued, “Everything we’ve built over the last four years helps us and really comes together in a moment like this. At the same time, even the younger players have been in our environment over the last couple of months and know what to expect. As long as we continue to keep things consistent then the expectation is that they will be able to pick up and gel as quickly as possible because they’re coming into a familiar environment and know the demands that are going to be placed on them.”.