Pochettino's comments suggest that he may have preferred to be more involved in the decision-making process, particularly in the aftermath of the controversy surrounding Balogun's red card. The US striker had been given a one-game suspension for a challenge against Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemović, but his ban was later suspended after the US Soccer Federation and US president Donald Trump lobbied Fifa. Infantino maintains that the decision to reinstate Balogun was made independently by Fifa's disciplinary committee.
The situation surrounding Balogun cast a pall over the US team's tournament, with Belgium's players and coaches citing it as extra motivation ahead of the match. Balogun himself later spoke of feeling uncomfortable with the attention the situation placed upon him. The US were ultimately thoroughly outclassed by Belgium in the 4-1 loss, beaten badly in every phase of play.
Pochettino also suggested that the group who participated in US Soccer's efforts to get Balogun on the field against Belgium may have been too large for his liking. He believes that decisions of this nature should be managed under a much more limited structure, with strictly sporting and common sense considerations taking precedence. The US will face Peru in Orlando on Saturday before facing Chile, Mexico, and Canada across the rest of this extended international window.