flag
back Back
USMNT routs Haiti in first leg of Mauricio Pochettino’s swan song

MIAMI — Julian Hall celebrated being cap-tied to the U.S. men’s national team by doing what he does best. 

Score goals. 

The breakout star from the USMNT’s September/October international window picked up where he left off on Saturday, scoring in the 52nd minute of the United States’ 6-0 victory over Haiti in the first leg of their Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals. Hall was one of five American players to score in the blowout win that will mark one of the last matches that Mauricio Pochettino will coach before he leaves to take over at Manchester United. 

Mauricio Pochettino, head coach of the U.S., congratulates his players after a match against Haiti.
Mauricio Pochettino, head coach of the U.S., congratulates his players after a match against Haiti in Miami, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026.

Christian Pulisic scored twice, including his first goal for the national team since May 31, in the 62nd and 63rd minutes. Austin Trusty opened the scoring 10 minutes into the match, Weston McKennie scored in the 69th minute and World Cup star Folarin Balogun scored in the 82nd minutes. 

Saturday’s match ended any concern for American soccer fans that the rising star Hall would take his international talents to Poland, where he would be eligible to represent because of his mother’s heritage. He entered the game against Haiti needing one competitive match to meet FIFA’s requirements, and Pochettino put him in the starting lineup, tying him to the USMNT.

Hall has become one of the U.S. men’s national team’s best strikers since Pochettino turned to the youth in the national team program, which caused some concern among fans when the Manhattan native did not fully shoot down the idea of playing for Poland. 

In an interview with The Post, he left the door open following his first call-up to the senior national team in September. 

“I appreciate the opportunity and I’m going to do as much as I can to make an impact, but I’m definitely still open to my Polish side,” he said. “That’s a side that I cherish a lot, especially because my mom is from there. I wouldn’t say it’s solidified.”

But it’s been hard to question his commitment to the national team even before he scored on Saturday. His goal in the 52nd minute was his fourth goal in five appearances for the U.S. men’s national team. 

Christian Pulisic (10) of the United States celebrates scoring his team's third goal with teammates.
Christian Pulisic (10) of the United States celebrates scoring his team’s third goal with teammates in Miami, Florida, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026.

Hall’s goal came off an impressive counter-attack that led to Antonee Robinson feeding Hall with a crisp pass into the box before the teen buried the finisher to extend the U.S. national team’s lead to two.

It was a fitting moment considering Pochettino’s embrace of the youth since the 2030 World Cup cycle began. Prior to the start of the November camp, Pochettino had said that Hall “fully deserves” the call-up.  

Not only seeing one of the program’s young stars shine was a good sign, but also the dominant performance that the team overall had amid a chaotic week. 

The American players spent the week following Manchester United’s push to bring in Pochettino as their new manager. 

United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino listens to the national anthem before a match against Haiti.
United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino listens to the national anthem before a match against Haiti in Miami, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026.

Reports first started to surface early in the week of Man United’s interest in the USMNT coach. Things quickly developed as the team went through camp in Georgia. 

Pochettino will be at the helm on Tuesday in Cincinnati, when the U.S. men’s national team plays its second leg against Haiti.

With Saturday’s dominating win, Pochettino is all but guaranteed to depart the USMNT by sending them off to the semifinals of the Concacaf Nations League. 

You may like

Named: Premier League team of the season so far as Erling Haaland, THREE Chelsea players and a su...

dailymail.com 19 hours ago

'My mama no gree me rest' - Nigeria U-17 forward Umejiaku opens up after Flamingos' triumph

dailypost.ng 1 day ago

Jorge Jesus disgraced in Portugal's first match post-Cristiano Ronaldo

pulse.ng 3 hours ago

Mohamed Salah tops Egypt’s all-time goalscoring chart [Top 5]

dailypost.ng 20 hours ago

Velebayi makes a big Kaizer Chiefs promise

thesouthafrican.com 16 hours ago

Forest will rue missing £55m star as he scores hat-trick for the Netherlands

nottinghamforest.news 14 hours ago

Benni McCarthy confident Lyle Foster can break Bafana scoring record

sundayworld.co.za 13 hours ago

Rovers striker Gudjohnsen scores hat-trick for Iceland

aol.com 13 hours ago

Alexander Isak gives honest assessment on own performances in Liverpool point - 'Not top level'

liverpool.com 13 hours ago