Mauricio Pochettino Explains Recalling Folarin Balogun to Boost Striker's Confidence After Tough Summer

Folarin Balogun earned a USMNT recall for the first time since the World Cup after navigating limited minutes at AS Monaco and a collapsed summer transfer to Everton.

United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino identified the upcoming international window as the perfect setting to revitalize the forward.

The 25-player roster marks the team's second camp since the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

It also represents the program's first camp featuring competitive matches under Pochettino's leadership.

Balogun returns to the national team fold with 31 senior caps to his name.

The forward has also delivered 12 goals across his international appearances for the United States.

A CHALLENGING SUMMER

Recent months have tested Balogun's resilience at both the domestic and international levels.

The striker faced reduced playing time with AS Monaco during the opening stretch of the current campaign.

His club situation was further complicated late in the transfer window.

A proposed deadline-day move to Premier League side Everton fell through before completion.

That collapsed deal left Balogun fighting for minutes in France.

At the same time, the striker missed out on previous international action as Pochettino evaluated different attacking profiles.

POCHETTINO BACKS BALOGUN

Pochettino made it clear that Balogun remains central to his long-term plans.

The manager spoke candidly about his choice to bring the Monaco forward back into the international fold.

"It's a great opportunity to keep helping him (Balogun) to evolve after a tough summer, after the World Cup," Pochettino said on the matter.

Pochettino viewed this specific window as a moment to rebuild the attacker's self-belief.

He emphasized that national team involvement can serve as a catalyst for a player's mindset.

"Yes, happy to see again Balogun because I think after the World Cup, we have the possibility to see and it's a great opportunity for him to keep improving his confidence," the manager explained.

Pochettino noted that getting players into the senior group aids their progression.

"We are playing now an official game [and] the priority always is for the first team," Pochettino noted.

"And because we all believe that if the players are involved with the first team, [there] is the possibility to keep growing and of course adding more experience — and good experience," the manager added.

THE RICARDO PEPI EQUATION

Balogun's inclusion coincided with the omission of PSV striker Ricardo Pepi.

Pepi's absence triggered extensive debate across the American soccer landscape.

Pundits and fans immediately questioned why Pepi was left out of the high-stakes squad.

Pochettino directly addressed the decision to select Balogun while omitting the Dutch-based goalscorer.

The manager evaluated the fitness levels of both centre-forwards.

He concluded that neither Balogun nor Pepi was operating at peak physical capacity.

Pepi played limited minutes for PSV last week following an injury.

However, Pochettino decided against calling in both recuperating strikers simultaneously.

"That is why I think the balance, because Justin and Julian, they are fully fit, I go a little bit ahead, that is why we didn't bring, even if we played a few minutes last week, Pepi, Ricardo," Pochettino explained.

The coaching staff determined that Pepi would benefit more by staying in the Netherlands.

"But I think in our way to see and assess the players, we decided much better to keep him training (with PSV) and establish himself being more solid in his fitness and be more confident to attack the future," Pochettino said.

"That is why we didn't want to bring both, because I think both are not 100%, but I think the combination in between Balogun, Ellis and Hall is perfect," the coach concluded.

YOUTH TALENT PILING PRESSURE

Pochettino balanced Balogun's experience by summoning two emerging teenage forwards.

Youngsters Julian Hall and Justin Ellis both earned spots in the forward line.

Hall and Ellis made their senior international debuts during the previous camp.

Both attackers capitalized on their first opportunities with the national team.

Hall found the net three times during that initial window.

Ellis contributed two goals of his own to solidify his credentials.

Pochettino trusts their current physical condition to complement Balogun's qualities.

Both teenagers enter this camp fully fit and sharp.

Their presence provides Pochettino with energetic attacking depth alongside the Monaco striker.

THE SQUAD'S VETERAN NUCLEUS

Balogun is not the only high-profile star returning to the national team roster.

Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie were both recalled after missing out recently.

Sergiño Dest also returned to the 25-man squad.

Pulisic, McKennie, and Dest were previously rested as Pochettino tested 13 uncapped players across four friendly wins.

The core of the team features established players targeting the 2030 World Cup cycle.

Tyler Adams, Malik Tillman, Gio Reyna, and Sebastian Berhalter retained their places in the squad.

Defenders Chris Richards, Auston Trusty, and Antonee Robinson are back in camp.

Alex Freeman and goalkeeper Matt Freese also maintained their roster spots.

Pochettino highlighted the need to blend established internationals with incoming talent.

"Now it's a moment we need to add players to the roster to try to provide a good balance to the team," Pochettino said.

"It's a great opportunity for different players now, and … to have the possibility to mix younger with experienced players," he stated.

YOUTH MOVEMENT CONTINUES

The roster demonstrates Pochettino's commitment to developing fresh talent.

Several young players parlayed impressive autumn friendly outings into official competitive call-ups.

Cavan Sullivan retained his position in the senior squad.

Mathis Albert, Adri Mehmeti, Neil Pierre, and Diego Kochen also earned callbacks.

The average age of that emerging young contingent stands at just 18.1 years.

Sullivan and Pulisic are now set to share a national team locker room as teammates for the first time.

Pochettino also brought two completely uncapped players into the senior environment.

Defender Reed Baker-Whiting of Nashville SC received his maiden senior invitation.

Midfielder Santiago Castañeda of SC Paderborn also earned his first senior call-up.