That is 0 articles you have read today.
The Aporia is free and carries no advertising, so readers are the only
thing paying for it. If you are getting this much out of it, a small
donation is what keeps it independent.
Daily limit reached
You have read 0 articles today.
That is more than the 15 a day The Aporia gives away,
and well past what it can carry on nothing. Your allowance resets at
midnight.
There is no advertising here and nothing about you is sold, so readers
are the only thing paying for it. If the site is worth this much of
your day, it is worth a few dollars.
Everything else stays open: the
maps, the
directory and
search do
not count against this, and neither does re-opening something you have
already read today.
Mauricio Pochettino, the US coach, expressed regret over his limited involvement in appealing Folarin Balogun's red card at the World Cup. Balogun’s suspension was lifted after President Trump intervened with FIFA, allowing him to play against Belgium. Pochettino acknowledged that he should have been more proactive in addressing the criticism following the incident and emphasized learning from such experiences.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-26,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Mauricio Pochettino, coach of the US men’s national team, expressed regret at not being more involved in the decision to appeal a red card received by star forward Folarin Balogun during the World Cup. Balogun was suspended after receiving a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina but was allowed to play against Belgium due to interventions from the US Soccer Federation and President Donald Trump, who reportedly spoke with FIFA president Gianni Infantino. This unusual move drew criticism from Belgium and overshadowed what had been an otherwise positive tournament for the US team. After the suspension was lifted, the energy around the team changed significantly leading up to their match against Belgium in the round of 16. Balogun’s presence was crucial as he led the team with three goals during the World Cup.
Written for “Mauricio Pochettino Regrets Role” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 2 other(s) covering the same event.
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino says he should have been more involved in the decision to appeal the red card given to star forward Folarin Balogun during the World Cup.
asserted
he → say → Cup
Balogun’s suspension for the red card was lifted after President Donald Trump spoke to FIFA leadership, allowing him to play against Belgium in the round of 16.
asserted
him → lift → 16
Balogun was the top scorer for the Americans with three goals when he received the red card in a 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in the round of 32.
asserted
he → receive → 32
“At the time, I didn’t fully understand the criticism,” Pochettino said Friday ahead of the U.S. match Saturday against Peru.
asserted
Pochettino → understand → Peru
”But now, with the benefit of time and looking back on it, the truth is that you have to learn from things, from mistakes.
asserted
you → look → mistakes
And I think sometimes the things that happen during a tournament have to stay there.”
asserted
that → think → tournament
FIFA lifted the suspension, allowing Balogun to play in the round of 16, an extraordinary move that triggered praise from Trump and outrage from Belgium.
asserted
that → lift → Belgium
It appeared to be the first time since 1962 that a red card during a World Cup didn’t result in a suspension.
asserted
card → appear → suspension
Pochettino said Friday that the entire energy changed after the suspension was lifted.
asserted
suspension → say → ?
Analyzing that game now is difficult considering “it was not the best environment to go to compete in a World Cup,” he said.
asserted
he → analyze → Cup
Pochettino signed a four-year contract to remain as coach through the 2030 World Cup.
asserted
Pochettino → sign → Cup
The first roster of his second term as coach was announced last week.
asserted
roster → announce → coach
Balogun, who hasn’t played for Monaco this season after a possible transfer to Everton fell through, is not on the current U.S. roster.
asserted
transfer → play → roster
Pochettino cited a leg injury.
asserted
Pochettino → cite → injury
The Aporia
