Mauricio Pochettino keeping USMNT in the dark over expected Manchester United exit

FAYETTEVILLE, Ga.— If Folarin Balogun had his way, things wouldn’t change anytime soon around the U.S.

Soccer National Training Center. But the writing is on the wall — or at least online — that points to Mauricio Pochettino taking the job with Manchester United and departing the U.S.men’s national team program.USMNT players began training Thursday with the cloud of imminent change over their heads as headlines swirled about Pochettino. “If I had a vote, I would keep things the way they are,” Balogun said ahead of Thursday’s training.

“I think things have been working well.We have a clear sense of identity.

We have a clear playing style.I think whenever you have a top coach, you want them to stay.

It’s a no-brainer, so, for us, it’s no different.” Officially, there has been no announcement of Pochettino’s departure from the USMNT or hiring at Man United. When Balogun and Sebastian Berhalter spoke with reporters, the latter said, “We haven’t heard anything yet” regarding what’s been transpiring. In his short time leading the U.S.men’s national team, Pochettino has coached the program to a Round of 16 appearance at the World Cup this summer and seems to have things headed in a better direction. The infusion of young players, which included Red Bull New York stars Julian Hall and Adri Mehmeti, had given American soccer fans a feeling of optimism. And Berhalter credited Pochettino for his development. “Personally, on the field and off the field, he’s done a lot for me,” Berhalter said.

“I think from Day 1 he’s always believed in me before I set foot on the field.I think the way I play and the way that I try to carry myself, I think he just said, ‘it doesn’t matter what you’re doing in the field, these are already the right things.’ “To be honest, I can’t thank him enough, regardless if he’s the coach, not the coach.

I think I say it every time, he’s meant so much to me.He’s helped me develop...