USMNT's Folarin Balogun says team aims to 'make a statement and remind people what we're about'

As the squad awaits the arrival of Mauricio Pochettino as head coach, two friendlies this month can be used to create positivity after the Copa America failure

By Chuck Booth Sep 3, 2024 at 5:49 pm ET• 3 min read

Preparing for upcoming friendlies against Canada and New Zealand, it feels like the United States men's national team is in limbo. Coming off of a disappointing performance during the Copa America, crashing out in the group stage, Gregg Berhalter is no longer the manager. But for these friendlies, Micky Varas -- who is expected to become the first manager of San Diego FC in Major League Soccer -- will lead the USMNT instead of Mauricio Pochettino, who is expected to be the next head coach. Players, fans and more patiently await the arrival of the next face of the program.

Speaking with media on Monday, USMNT defender Tim Ream said they're waiting just like everybody else for an announcement to be made. With these games, while changes will be made once the coach arrives, it's still an opportunity to create positive vibes.  The lack of a permanent manager is something that can bring uncertainty into what is a young USMNT side but that's where the growing experience and chemistry of these players shows. They know that the performance at Copa America was a disappointing one and the goal of this camp is to remove the bad taste of that tournament from their mouths and begin the process to move forward.

"I think after the Copa ended there was a mutual feeling in the dressing room of disappointment and we knew that we had to put it to rest, that we had to go away and reflect," striker Folarin Balogun said. "We've come back for this camp and we've had the time to reflect and speak together and we have two friendly games coming up. As always, when we have the opportunity to wear this jersey, it's about putting on a show. We're not treating it as friendlies and we want to make a statement and remind people what we're about."

The wait from the Copa America exit in July to now in September had been a long one but the quickest way of putting it behind the side is to score as many goals as possible and start winning. There are notable absences like Weston McKennie, who was left to reintegrate with Juventus, and Tyler Adams, who is injured. But a familiar core was called in by Varas. Even for Balogun specifically, while the coach may be different, it doesn't change much about his role.