The US World Cup campaign ended abruptly on Monday as they suffered a crushing 4-1 loss to Belgium in the round of 16. Mauricio Pochettino, the US coach, was left frustrated and disappointed by the backlash over Folarin Balogun's red card, but he insisted that it had no impact on their performance.

Folarin Balogun, the US top scorer, started the game against Belgium but was not able to make a significant mark. The US looked a shadow of the team that had made a bright start to the tournament on home soil. Pochettino was questioned about the controversy surrounding Balogun's eligibility, but he defended his player's decision to play.

Balogun was cleared by FIFA to play in the co-hosts' pivotal round-of-16 clash despite having earned a red card in the previous game. The decision was made after US President Donald Trump called FIFA's global governing body, but FIFA said the decision was not influenced by Trump. Pochettino said he was disappointed by the criticism, but he believed that it did not affect their performance.

The US coach said that the team's performance was affected by individual errors, and they need to accept that sometimes things do not go as planned. He also expressed frustration at the criticism he and his team received, calling it 'personal' and saying it was not acceptable to insult or receive threats.

Pochettino has been offered an extended contract with the US, but he will need to rest and have conversations with federation officials before making a decision. He has also been linked with a possible return to European club football.

'It was a very bad day. It wasn't our day, in a collective and individual way,' Pochettino said. 'And we need to accept that sometimes this type of thing happens, but in a tournament like a World Cup, when that happens, you have not another chance.'

The US national team has suffered its worst-ever World Cup exit in the round of 16, and Pochettino admitted that it was a tough pill to swallow. The team had made a bright start to the tournament, but their exit has left fans and supporters stunned.

The US has been one of the most successful teams in the tournament, and their exit has left many questions unanswered. The team's failure to reach the quarterfinals has raised eyebrows, and Pochettino's job is under scrutiny. However, the US coach has refused to blame his team's exit on the controversy surrounding Balogun's eligibility.

The US will now focus on rebuilding and looking to the future, and Pochettino will need to regroup his team to face the challenges ahead. The coach has been in charge of the team since 2022, and he has led them to some impressive victories. However, his exit from the World Cup has left many wondering about his future.

The controversy surrounding Balogun's red card has been a major talking point, and the US coach has been at the receiving end of some criticism. However, Pochettino has refused to blame the controversy for the team's exit.

Balogun is the top scorer of the tournament with three goals, and his absence was felt by the US. However, Pochettino has defended his player's decision to play, saying that it was a rule and the player was available.

Pochettino's future as the US coach remains uncertain, but he has refused to speculate about his future. He has been linked with a possible return to European club football, and he will need to make a decision soon.

The US World Cup campaign has come to an end, but there are still many questions unanswered. The team's exit has raised eyebrows, and Pochettino's job is under scrutiny. However, the coach has refused to blame his team's exit on the controversy surrounding Balogun's eligibility.

The future of the US national team looks uncertain, and Pochettino will need to regroup his team to face the challenges ahead. The team has suffered its worst-ever World Cup exit, and the US coach will need to take responsibility for the team's performance.

'I am so frustrated and so disappointed with the people who are supposed to understand this situation,' Pochettino said. 'I think it didn't affect our performance… it's not an excuse, and we cannot put excuses, it wasn't our day.'