Mauricio Pochettino’s reported move to Manchester United has left the United States men’s national team facing uncertainty at a pivotal moment. Although no departure had been officially confirmed, USMNT players Folarin Balogun and Sebastian Berhalter spoke about the Argentine coach’s impact as they prepared for a Concacaf Nations League matchup with Haiti.
Both players emphasized that the team must stay focused on the games ahead. Their comments also made clear how much Pochettino has influenced the squad’s identity, confidence and standards.
## Folarin Balogun wants Pochettino to stay
Balogun was direct when asked whether he hoped Pochettino would remain in charge.
“If I had a vote, I would like to keep things the way they are,” he said.
The forward pointed to the team’s clear identity and playing style, adding that players naturally want to continue working with a top coach when things are going well.
Balogun has had a challenging period at club level, including uncertainty around a potential move to Everton and limited playing time at Monaco. Against that backdrop, the USMNT camp could have offered some stability. Instead, the possibility of a coaching change has added another unknown.
## Sebastian Berhalter reflects on Pochettino’s support
Berhalter said the team had not received official news about Pochettino’s future, but stressed that the players were concentrating on Haiti. The midfielder also reflected on the personal and professional support he has received from the coach.
Pochettino gave Berhalter his national team debut, and the player has since earned 22 caps. Berhalter said the manager believed in him from the beginning and helped him grow both on and off the field.
That trust has mattered as Berhalter has worked to establish himself in the USMNT midfield. His comments reflected the close relationship many players can develop with a coach during an important stage of their international careers.
## Pochettino raised the USMNT’s standards
Balogun said Pochettino had changed the team’s approach to training and competition. The coach encouraged players to treat every camp and match with a winning mindset, helping establish a stronger sense of responsibility across the squad.
He also stressed that the standard should not depend on who is managing the team. In Balogun’s view, the players now have a responsibility to carry forward what they have learned.
That could be an important part of any transition. A new coach would inherit a team with established expectations, as well as a growing group of young players competing for places. Prospects including Cavan Sullivan, Adri Mehmeti, Matias Albert, Neil Pierre and Julian Hall point to the depth of talent coming through the USMNT system.
## Haiti match gives the USMNT an immediate focus
Despite the uncertainty around Pochettino, the team’s immediate priority was its Concacaf Nations League match against Haiti. Berhalter described Haiti as a strong opponent and said the squad was ready for the games.
The stakes add pressure: a place in the Nations League final was on the line. A positive result could help the players focus on the performance and the progress made under Pochettino. A difficult start, by contrast, could make it harder to keep attention away from the uncertainty surrounding the coach’s future.
### Haiti vs. USMNT match details
– **Date:** Saturday, Nov. 14
– **Kickoff:** 4:30 p.m. ET
– **Venue:** Nu Stadium, Miami, Florida
– **TV:** TBS
– **Live stream:** HBO Max
## What Pochettino’s possible exit could mean for the USMNT
A coaching change would bring questions about the team’s next direction, but Pochettino’s influence may remain visible in the habits and expectations he helped establish. Balogun said the players understand the standard and have to take ownership of maintaining it.
For the USMNT, that responsibility matters as much as identifying a successor. Coaches may change, but the players will need to preserve their identity, compete for their roles and continue building toward future Concacaf and international goals.