U.S. Soccer Remains in Active Talks with Mauricio Pochettino

In the aftermath of the USMNT’s disappointing World Cup exit, U.S. Soccer CEO J.T. Batson has announced that the federation is still engaged in active discussions with former Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino regarding his potential return as head coach of the men’s national team.

Despite the team’s early elimination from the tournament, Pochettino remains the federation’s top pick for the job, with a contract renewal still on the table. Batson expressed confidence in the ongoing conversations, stating that the federation is ‘excited about the opportunity to impact all soccer at all levels in every community.’

The CEO also emphasized the federation’s long-term planning, citing the recent appointment of Steve Cherundolo as coach of the U-23 team for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as a prime example. ‘We were going to take a break after the World Cup and rest and recuperate,’ Batson explained, ‘but we’re excited about the discussions and they’ve been active about long-term planning.’

U.S. Soccer has been operating without a sporting director since Matt Crocker’s departure in April, with COO Dan Helfrich currently handling sporting decisions. However, Helfrich has emphasized that there is a group effort underway to ensure the federation is trending in the right direction. ‘The first thing I’d say is I feel and we feel confident we have a great team,’ Helfrich stated, ‘and that great team has soccer expertise from deep within the American system and soccer expertise from other parts of the world.’

One of the most memorable moments of the USMNT’s World Cup run was the red card received by forward Folarin Balogun in the round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Although FIFA initially ruled that Balogun would be suspended for the round of 16 clash with Belgium, the organization later placed him on probation, allowing him to play in the match. U.S. president Donald Trump took credit for FIFA’s surprise decision, claiming that he had called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to express his support for Balogun. However, FIFA denied any involvement from the president.

Balogun himself has spoken about the controversy surrounding the red card, stating that it was ‘difficult’ to avoid the outside noise and that the situation gave him confidence. Batson, on the other hand, saw the furor as a positive sign of the growing popularity of soccer in the United States. ‘This summer we had incredible support from Americans all across the country,’ he said, ‘and it really was incredible.’

The CEO also expressed gratitude for the support of U.S. president Donald Trump, stating that ‘the president is able to do what the president wants to do.’ Batson emphasized that the federation is grateful for all the support they have received and are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.

As the federation looks to the future, they are focused on building a strong team that can compete at the highest level. With Pochettino still in the running for the head coach position, the possibilities are endless. ‘We’re in active discussions with Mauricio and staff about the future,’ Batson said, ‘and we’re excited about the opportunity to impact all soccer at all levels in every community.’

In conclusion, U.S. Soccer remains committed to building a strong team that can compete at the highest level. With Pochettino still in the running for the head coach position, the possibilities are endless. The federation is excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and is committed to making the best decisions for the team and the sport.