01 The Lede
Mauricio Pochettino is supposed to decide this week whether he's staying as USMNT head coach, per Barstool Sports. That's the clearest timeline yet on a question that has dominated the post-tournament conversation. The USMNT went out 4-1 to Belgium in the Round of 16 on July 6 — a result that stung after the team had topped Group D with eight goals, a program record for a single group stage. Pochettino led the side to its deepest World Cup run since 2002, but the margin of the Belgium defeat left the federation with real questions. Whatever he decides, the answer lands before the month is out.
02 Quick Passes
Rankings bump. The USMNT rose one spot to 16th in the latest FIFA world rankings, per Stars and Stripes FC. Small consolation, but still movement in the right direction.
Coaching carousel chatter. Marcelo Balboa publicly questioned Pochettino's future and endorsed Steve Cherundolo as a replacement, per Athlon Sports. Jozy Altidore also made his feelings clear on Poch's future, per Diario AS.
Mexico upstaged the hosts. Despite all three co-hosts going out in the Round of 16, FIFA took notice of El Tri's tournament performance over the USMNT's, per Sports Illustrated.
Record viewership. Fox's coverage of the 2026 World Cup final set a U.S. soccer viewership record, per NewscastStudio. The Spain–Argentina final on July 19 proved the U.S. audience was there — with or without the home side.
Next window incoming. The CONCACAF Nations League draw is expected before month's end, with September 2026 the first international window on the horizon.
03 Player Watch
Folarin Balogun is speaking — and the quotes land hard. Per MercoPress, Balogun said he thought it was “a joke” when FIFA suspended his red card following the intervention around the Belgium match. Meanwhile, Yahoo Sports reports he credited Pochettino's advice for helping him stay composed through the red card drama. The Guardian notes Gianni Infantino is unlikely to face IOC sanctions over the scandal — so the controversy lingers without consequence, at least at the top.
04 The Scene
Tim Ream told NBC 5 Chicago there's one player who “would be perfect” as the next USMNT captain — he didn't leave anyone in suspense, per NBC 5 Chicago. (Click the link. You know you want to know.)
A 17-year-old soccer phenom named Maddie DiMaria got the interview with USMNT captain Tim Ream, per NBC 5 Chicago. The pipeline is real.
MLS is officially back tonight — Robert Lewandowski could make his Chicago Fire debut against Inter Miami, per Front Row Soccer. Griezmann could debut for Orlando the same night. Post-World Cup MLS is going to be something.
05 Extra Time
Spain won the World Cup. The USMNT rose to 16th in the world. Lewandowski debuts in Chicago tonight. This is fine. Everything is fine.
— USMNT Daily. See you tomorrow.