SoccerSep 26
Pochettino regrets limited role in Balogun suspension appeal
The USMNT coach believes the controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun’s World Cup eligibility disrupted his squad before its defeat to Belgium.
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Appeal fallout overshadowed knockout match
Mauricio Pochettino says he wishes he had taken a more active role in the decision to appeal Folarin Balogun’s World Cup suspension, believing the resulting controversy changed the atmosphere around the United States squad. Balogun received a straight red card in the round-of-32 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina. The ruling drew intense scrutiny after U.S. President Donald Trump said he had personally intervened for the tournament co-hosts. FIFA president Gianni Infantino faced accusations that his dealings with Trump breached political-neutrality rules. Pochettino said he was not involved in deciding to seek relief from the suspension and regretted not engaging more closely once the Bosnia-Herzegovina match ended.
Belgium defeat prompts rethink
The Americans had advanced comfortably through the group stage and beaten Bosnia-Herzegovina before Belgium ended their tournament with a 4-1 victory, denying them a first World Cup quarterfinal appearance since 2002. Balogun has said the debate affected him and his teammates, while Belgian players described it as an additional source of motivation. Pochettino likewise believes the circumstances had such a strong influence that changes in tactics or selection would not have altered the outcome. Speaking ahead of the friendly against Peru in Orlando, Florida, Pochettino said future decisions of this kind should involve a much smaller group. Balogun is absent from the first U.S. Squad since the World Cup. He only recently made his season debut for Monaco following an unsuccessful move to Everton and a minor injury. The Americans will also face Chile, Mexico and Canada during the current international window.
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