Pochettino Says Balogun Dispute Changed US Energy

U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino says he regrets not taking a more active role in the decision to challenge Folarin Balogun’s World Cup red-card suspension, which FIFA lifted so the striker could play against Belgium. The reversal followed lobbying by U.S. Soccer and President Donald Trump, who said he asked FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the case; FIFA’s disciplinary committee said it acted independently. Pochettino said the ensuing controversy changed the atmosphere around the team and left the Belgium match—an eventual 4-1 loss—playing out under different circumstances. He said he did not believe a different lineup or tactical plan would have changed the result, and called for a smaller group within U.S. Soccer to handle such decisions.