Mauricio Pochettino is set to be without Folarin Balogun for his first matches in charge of the United States men’s team.
Pochettino was announced as their new head coach weeks after he and Chelsea mutually agreed to part ways after just one season.
Balogun has dislocated his shoulder just days before the next USMNT campAFP
The Argentine is taking to international management for the first time in his career and makes his touchline debut next week.
However, Pochettino’s plans may well have taken a huge blow as Balogun picked up an injury for French club Monaco on Saturday.
As reported by The Athletic, the former Arsenal striker suffered a dislocated left shoulder in Monaco’s 2-1 win over Stade Rennais.
Balogun actually scored the winning goal in the 22nd minute but was substituted just after the hour mark due to his injury.
It is said that the 23-year-old, who appeared to be in discomfort when walking off the pitch, will undergo further assessments in the next few days.
Pochettino’s opening two opponents as USMNT head coach are against Panama and Mexico, with both matches being friendlies.
He named Balogun in his first 25-man squad alongside other key stars including Christian Pulisic, Antonee Robinson and Weston McKennie.
The former Southampton and Tottenham boss had already lost a key man in Giovanni Reyna of Borussia Dortmund with a groin injury.
However, he will still be confident in the quality of his squad as he looks to make a positive impression ahead of a crucial couple of years.
The USA are one of three countries hosting the 2026 World Cup, alongside Canada and Mexico.
Pochettino looks set to be without the forward for his first two gamesGetty
Given they are hosts, the USMNT have already qualified for the tournament but will be desperate to get some good results ahead of the tournament home turf.
Speaking soon after his appointment, Pochettino revealed they are aiming to match their best ever finish at a World Cup which came in 2002 in South Korea and Japan, where the Americans reached the last eight.
“The quarter-finals is the target,” he told Gary Neville. “They were very clear. I’m very honest translating it to you.
“That was the idea, the challenge. They know that it’s going to be difficult.
“But I am a person – and we are people – that really believe that we have a talented group that can perform better. We accepted the challenge.”
