09/25/26 06:14:00
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09/25 18:12 CDT US coach Pochettino regrets his limited role in Balogun
red-card appeal at the World Cup
US coach Pochettino regrets his limited role in Balogun red-card appeal at the
World Cup
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) --- U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino says he should have been
more involved in the decision to appeal the red card given to star forward
Folarin Balogun during the World Cup.
Balogun's suspension for the red card was lifted after President Donald Trump
spoke to FIFA leadership, allowing him to play against Belgium in the round of
16. Balogun was the top scorer for the Americans with three goals when he
received the red card in a 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in the round of 32.
"At the time, I didn't fully understand the criticism," Pochettino said Friday
ahead of the U.S. match Saturday against Peru. "But now, with the benefit of
time and looking back on it, the truth is that you have to learn from things,
from mistakes. And I think sometimes the things that happen during a tournament
have to stay there."
FIFA lifted the suspension, allowing Balogun to play in the round of 16, an
extraordinary move that triggered praise from Trump and outrage from Belgium.
It appeared to be the first time since 1962 that a red card during a World Cup
didn't result in a suspension.
Pochettino said Friday that the entire energy changed after the suspension was
lifted. Analyzing that game now is difficult considering "it was not the best
environment to go to compete in a World Cup," he said.
Belgium beat the U.S. 4-1 to reach the quarterfinals, and Balogun had little
impact in the loss.
Pochettino signed a four-year contract to remain as coach through the 2030
World Cup. The first roster of his second term as coach was announced last
week. Balogun, who hasn't played for Monaco this season after a possible
transfer to Everton fell through, is not on the current U.S. roster. Pochettino
cited a leg injury.
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