Pochettino still in play as U.S. Soccer plans its next act
U.S. Soccer CEO J.T. Batson says talks with Mauricio Pochettino remain active after the USMNT’s World Cup exit.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
3 min read
U.S. Soccer is still trying to keep Mauricio Pochettino in charge of the men’s national team, with CEO J.T. Batson saying Thursday that talks remain active after the USMNT’s World Cup disappointment.
The Americans were knocked out on July 6 in a 4-1 loss to Belgium, marking their fourth straight round-of-16 exit at the tournament, according to CBS Sports. The result landed hard after rising expectations around the team earlier in the summer.
Batson said the federation is speaking with Pochettino and his staff about what comes next. He said U.S. Soccer believes its strongest years are still ahead and that Pochettino’s group is interested in affecting the sport across different levels and communities.
CBS Sports reported that a contract extension offered to Pochettino before the World Cup remains available. The report said he is still the federation’s preferred choice to lead the men’s program toward the 2030 World Cup.
The 2028 Olympics are already part of the plan
Batson said the post-World Cup period was expected to include a break, but discussions about the future have continued. He pointed to the U.S. under-23 team as one example of that planning.
Former U.S. international and ex-LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo will coach the U-23 side at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Batson said Pochettino and his staff were involved in the talks around that appointment and played a key role in the process.
The coaching call comes while U.S. Soccer is still without a sporting director. Matt Crocker left that job in April, according to CBS Sports, and chief operating officer Dan Helfrich is currently overseeing sporting decisions.
Helfrich said the federation has people with experience in American soccer and abroad involved in its planning. He named assistant sporting director Oguchi Onyewu, men’s national team development lead Barry Pauwels, women’s national team development lead Tracey Kevins and women’s national team coach Emma Hayes as part of discussions on short-term decisions and longer-term structure.
Helfrich said more detail on the department’s structure is expected in the months ahead.
Balogun card drama still lingers
The federation is also still fielding questions about one of the strangest moments of the World Cup run: Folarin Balogun’s red card in the round-of-32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The card was expected to keep Balogun out against Belgium, but FIFA later placed him on probation, making him eligible for the match. He played in the loss.
President Donald Trump later said he had influenced FIFA’s decision after speaking with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, CBS Sports reported. FIFA denied Trump played a role.
Balogun told CBS Mornings that the situation affected the team’s mindset, saying it created outside noise and confusion after the squad had been preparing without him before learning he was available again close to kickoff.
Batson said he viewed the uproar as evidence that soccer is gaining attention in the United States. He cited watch parties, fan events, full stadiums and public reaction to controversial calls as signs that more Americans were invested in the team’s tournament.
Asked about Trump’s involvement, Batson said the president is able to do what he wants as president of the United States, while adding that U.S. Soccer is grateful for support from fans around the country.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS Sports.