GUADALAJARA, Mexico – On paper, Mauricio Pochettino met CONCACAF opposition on Saturday during the US men’s national team’s 2-0 victory over Panama.

But his actual introduction to CONCACAF? That came deep in the bowels of the Estadio Akron in Guadalajara on Monday evening.

Pochettino himself was stunned by the comedy of chaos that served as the backdrop to his pre-match press conference. The high point – or low point, depending on the perspective – came when Pochettino wondered aloud: why exactly a bus parked right behind the gathered reporters, its engine roaring so loudly that it drowned out both questions and answers, and inexplicably continuing the proceedings disrupt?

Welcome to CONCACAF, Mauricio. There is nothing comparable.

Pochettino has of course seen a lot of chaos during his career. He grew up in his native Argentina and traveled throughout Europe as a player and coach. Hostile environments like Estadio Akron are nothing new to him, but USMNT-Mexico?

That’s new. And he knows it.

“For me, I know what happened with the US and Mexico,” said Pochettino, “but at the same time I think the way I approach the game is that this is a huge opportunity to challenge ourselves. Of course, It’s going to be special for our fans and especially for Mexican fans, but I just hope that we can see a very good match and an entertaining match.”