Balogun: Pochettino has made USMNT places up for grabs

Folarin Balogun said Mauricio Pochettino has ensured no U.S. men's national team player feels their place is guaranteed, Goal reported, a culture shift that the Monaco striker says makes his recent goals for club and country feel more important after a spell out with injury.

Balogun praised Pochettino's approach, telling FIFA that the coach and his staff "have created an atmosphere where nobody feels like their place is guaranteed," and that the new philosophy means players performing well — even in divisions like Major League Soccer — can earn call-ups. The change followed Pochettino stressing in 2025 that the door was wide open and his response to media suggestions the squad had established "regulars."

Balogun has been a regular starter for Monaco this season, with four goals and two assists in 848 Ligue 1 minutes and goals in each of his last three Champions League appearances; he also scored in each of his three starts for the USMNT to close 2025. Monaco face US Orleans in the French Cup on Saturday, a league match against Lorient on Jan. 16 and a Champions League trip to Real Madrid on Jan. 20, while the USMNT will play friendlies against Portugal and Belgium in Atlanta in March ahead of Pochettino's World Cup roster selection.

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Sports, Folarin Balogun, Mauricio Pochettino, Monaco, Usmnt, Champions League