U.S. men's national team coach Mauricio Pochettino said Monday he plans to speak with striker Folarin Balogun in the coming days to offer support after a difficult summer that followed the 2026 World Cup and a collapsed transfer to Everton.
Coach offers support amid club uncertainty
Pochettino, who took over the American side in 2025 and has committed to another coaching cycle, said Balogun remains part of the core group he expects to rely on as the United States looks ahead to the 2030 World Cup. Balogun, 25, led the U.S. in scoring at the 2026 tournament with three goals, but has experienced off-field turbulence since.
“It’s difficult because you can not influence the decision, you only need to support what they are doing with the people making the decisions. Of course, in some special case, like Flo, I will call in the next few days because I wanted to give a little bit of space after everything that happened with his situation in Everton, in Liverpool,” Pochettino said during a virtual roundtable with American reporters.
The forward’s summer was marked by two high-profile episodes. A red card handed to him in the round-of-32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina drew scrutiny and became a flashpoint when U.S. President Donald Trump publicly claimed credit for the FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s choice to suspend the card, allowing Balogun to play in the round-of-16 match against Belgium.
In August, Balogun was reported to be close to a transfer to Merseyside side Everton but withdrew from the proposed move, citing frustrations with how the club handled his medical examinations. As a result, he appears likely to remain at AS Monaco for up to another six months before the winter transfer window opens and offers further opportunities for a change of club.
Where things stand and what’s next
Pochettino said his role is not to interfere in club-level decisions but to offer support to players navigating difficult situations. He noted he wanted to give Balogun some immediate space following the Everton episode and planned a personal call to discuss the forward’s circumstances directly.
- Key player status: Balogun was a leading scorer for the U.S. at the 2026 World Cup.
- Club situation: Transfer to Everton collapsed after medical-related frustrations; currently with AS Monaco.
- National timeline: Pochettino is preparing a core roster that will shape U.S. hopes toward 2030.
The coach’s outreach highlights a balancing act for national team managers: safeguarding squad harmony while respecting club processes that determine players’ day-to-day careers. Pochettino’s comment that he “can not influence the decision” reflects the limits national coaches face when players’ futures are governed by club negotiations, medical assessments and transfer windows.
| Event | Detail |
|---|---|
| 2026 World Cup | Balogun scored three goals, leading U.S. scoring |
| Disciplinary episode | Red card in round of 32; suspension later not enforced, allowing round-of-16 participation |
| Transfer talks | Near move to Everton in August; player withdrew citing medical frustrations |
| Current status | Likely to remain at AS Monaco until at least the winter window |
Pochettino’s forthcoming conversation with Balogun will be closely watched by supporters and pundits alike: the coach has signalled the forward remains central to U.S. plans even as the team prepares for regional competitions such as the CONCACAF Nations League and the long-term goal of mounting a serious campaign in 2030.
For Canada and other CONCACAF neighbours, the development is a reminder that player availability and club stability can have ripple effects across the region. A fit and settled Balogun bolsters U.S. attacking options; continued uncertainty could complicate preparations and selection decisions for the national team as fixtures resume in the months ahead.
Pochettino’s public assurance of support aims to stabilise a situation that has attracted both sporting scrutiny and political attention — a rare intersection of football and high-profile public commentary that has kept Balogun’s summer in the headlines.
