USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino just dropped a bombshell, admitting he should have been “much more involved” in the wild decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s red card during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He is saying that call completely torpedoed the team’s “entire energy” and messed up their whole vibe. This is a huge confession, especially looking back at how that World Cup ended for the squad right here in our city.
The Bizarre Balogun Red Card Reversal
Remember that whole Balogun red card saga? It was insane! Pochettino is now regretting not being a bigger voice when FIFA decided to walk back Balogun’s red card after a reported discussion between federation president Gianni Infantino and U.S. president Donald Trump. Talk about some serious backroom dealings! At the time, Pochettino actually supported the move, arguing the U.S. had already paid by playing without Balogun for almost half of their Round of 32 match against Bosnia-Herzegovina. He even said then he was “not involved” in the push to lift the suspension, only that U.S. Soccer was “working on trying to defend our situation.” But now, hindsight is 20/20. This was no small thing either, folks. It marked what appeared to be the first time in 64 years a player received a World Cup red card without also serving a suspension. The whole thing was just off, and Pochettino is finally acknowledging it.
That Stinging 4-1 Defeat in Our Own Backyard
That “entire energy” shift Pochettino talks about? You could feel it, especially after the USMNT got bounced from the Round of 16 following a brutal 4-1 loss to Belgium. And where did that crushing defeat happen? Right here in Seattle. Ouch! Pochettino, in a Spanish language interview with Andrés Cantor, now admits he “didn’t fully understand the criticism and everything else” back then. But he gets it now. He’s saying “you have to learn from things, from mistakes,” and his big mistake was “not being present at that moment.” He even described that Belgium game as “very difficult to analyze because it took place in an environment that was not the best environment in which to go and compete at a World Cup.” That is a pretty telling statement about the atmosphere surrounding the team heading into that do-or-die game.
What’s Next for the USMNT
Despite all this reflection on past mistakes, Pochettino isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. He just signed an extension with U.S. Soccer that locks him in as head coach through the 2030 FIFA World Cup. So, he is in it for the long haul. His program’s first action since that July 6 loss to Belgium is an upcoming international break, kicking off Saturday with a friendly against Peru. It is being called a “fresh start” for a roster that won’t feature Balogun, Christian Pulisic, or Weston McKennie. Let’s hope this fresh start truly wipes the slate clean and Pochettino is fully “present” for whatever comes next, because the fans, especially here in Seattle, want to see that energy shift back to winning!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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