Tuesday, July 21, 2026
01 The Lede
The USMNT climbed one spot to 16th in the FIFA world rankings — a quiet reward for a tournament that ended too soon. The team went 3-1 at the home World Cup, topped Group D with 8 goals, and fell 4-1 to Belgium in the Round of 16 on July 6 in Seattle. A ranking bump is fine, but the honest reckoning is just beginning. Mauricio Pochettino says he'll announce a decision on his future "next week." Folarin Balogun is drawing transfer interest from Juventus and Borussia Dortmund. And Weston McKennie is out here calling the whole thing "bittersweet" — which just about covers it.
02 Quick Passes
Poch on the clock. Pochettino told reporters he'll make a decision about his USMNT future "next week," per Yahoo Sports. The September–October international window is the first realistic target for whoever runs this team next.
Balogun's market heating up. ESPN reports Juventus and Borussia Dortmund are both targeting Balogun following his 3-goal World Cup. The transfer window and Pochettino's decision could move on parallel tracks.
USMNT rises in rankings. The one-spot jump to 16th is modest but meaningful — the team entered the tournament ranked lower and leaves it with a statistical legacy: most goals and points ever in a single USMNT group stage.
Pulisic MLS return talk. NYCFC confirmed interest in Christian Pulisic at MLS's "Next Chapter" event, per Goal.com, citing that he "wants to be back home." No deal announced.
Former player fires back. A former USMNT player accused clubs of deliberately bypassing American players, per Yahoo Sports — a debate the World Cup run did nothing to quiet.
Tim Ream makes MLS All-Star squad. The 38-year-old captain earned his spot alongside Messi and Son Heung-Min for the MLS All-Star Game in Charlotte, per Goal.com.
03 Player Watch
Weston McKennie called the 2026 World Cup "bittersweet" — and that's the most honest three syllables anyone's offered yet. In a reflection piece with USA Today, the midfielder acknowledged the pride of topping Group D while sitting with the pain of a 4-1 exit to Belgium. McKennie was one of the few veterans who played the full tournament, and at 27 he'll be central to whatever comes next — whether Pochettino is still in the building or not.
04 The Scene
Balogun said it felt "like a joke" when FIFA suspended his red card following a Trump phone call to the FIFA president — and honestly, we're still not sure he's wrong. (beIN SPORTS)
A 17-year-old soccer phenom named Maddie DiMaria landed an interview with USMNT captain Tim Ream — which is either heartwarming or a sign Ream is very accessible. (NBC 5 Chicago)
MLS is holding All-Star Week in Charlotte with concerts, skills challenges, and the full circus — good timing for a league that just watched the whole country fall for soccer. (WCNC)
05 Extra Time
The CONCACAF Nations League draw is expected before month's end. Next competitive match: September at the earliest. Plenty of time to argue about what went wrong in Seattle — and everyone will.
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— USMNT Daily. See you tomorrow.
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