Mauricio Pochettino is managing a squad in flux as the USMNT prepare for their September 26 friendly against Peru, with two of his key attacking and defensive options unavailable or unsettled. Folarin Balogun enters the international window without a club after his deadline-day move to Everton collapsed, leaving the striker in a difficult position. Pochettino has confirmed he will speak to Balogun in the coming days to offer personal support, a sign of how closely the manager is monitoring the 25-year-old's situation. The World Cup controversy surrounding Balogun's lifted suspension has added further noise around him, with Belgium's football association publicly demanding answers from FIFA over the ruling and withdrawing support for Gianni Infantino's re-election in protest.

At the back, Augsburg defender Noahkai Banks remains absent from Pochettino's plans. The manager confirmed Banks cannot be considered for the upcoming camp while he continues to weigh his international future between the United States and Germany. Banks withdrew from World Cup consideration in March and has yet to commit either way.

The backdrop to all of this is a heavy 4-1 defeat to Belgium in the World Cup at Lumen Field in July, a result that exposed defensive vulnerabilities and left questions about the squad's depth. With Peru next up, Pochettino needs clarity on his options. Right now, that clarity is in short supply.