Pochettino: USMNT lacked 'quality', will delay contract talks after World Cup exit

SEATTLE — U.S. national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino will wait on discussions over his future after the team's elimination from the World Cup in the round of 16.

Pochettino says "now is not the time" to talk about his role with the federation, following his side's unraveling against a Belgium side that now advances to a quarter-final against Spain.

His contract expires this summer. As The Athletic exclusively revealed last month, U.S. Soccer offered Pochettino and his staff contract extensions before the World Cup, and talks will continue.

"In the next weeks, we can start to talk if the federation wants to talk," Pochettino said. "Right now, it's about resting a little bit, to think, have conversations with the federation to see what the decision is. I'm so happy. We've built a very good relationship, now is not a moment to talk about (my future)."

A U.S. Soccer statement on Tuesday confirmed "positive conversations" were held with Pochettino prior to the tournament and would continue "following a chance to rest and reflect post World Cup."

"We have a great deal of respect and gratitude for Mauricio, his staff and everyone part of the program," the statement continued. "We have shared excitement about our potential and also shared clarity about the amount of work at all levels still required to achieve our ambition."

A Home World Cup Ends in Agony

A home World Cup that began with so much promise ended in a 4-1 loss to Belgium.

The U.S. was thoroughly beaten, delivering their worst performance since March. The game was marred by sloppy mistakes and a surprising lack of intensity that had set such a positive tone earlier in the tournament.

"Today we didn't show our real quality as a team," Pochettino added. "I want to congratulate Belgium, they were good. But we were not at our level, we never connected with the game. We started in a poor way and never (got into) the flow of the game."

Forward Folarin Balogun — who became the center of a controversy when he was given a reprieve by FIFA from his red-card suspension, with President Donald J. Trump weighing in — was mostly contained by the Belgian defense.

Pochettino insisted that was not a distraction or excuse for the loss.

"We were not good enough today," Pochettino said. "We don't need to find another excuse. Belgium were better than us. That's it. It's very clear. It was really tough from the beginning. We didn't show what normally the team will show — and that is the reality.

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"I think we need to learn. It's a process to learn. We need to assess that game, and we need to see why we didn't approach the game in the same way as the rest of the World Cup."

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By Tom Bogert Photo: Luke Hales/Getty Images