"I don't think it affected our performance. It's not an excuse, and we can't make excuses. It wasn't our day," Pochettino said.
Balogun, who started against Belgium, had scored three goals before the match and was the USA's top scorer in the tournament.
"My role was to train the team, and if you have an available Balogun because FIFA (International Federation of Association Football) allowed it, it's not a problem," Pochettino said.
Pochettino is also "frustrated and disappointed" that critics have "mixed politics" into FIFA's decision, as well as by the number of "negative messages and threats" he has received.
"I am very disappointed in a lot of people," he said.
Balogun received a red card in the round of 32 and was initially suspended for the round of 16. FIFA later lifted Balogun's suspension, allowing him to play. US President Donald Trump has admitted that he called FIFA about the suspension before it was lifted.
The host nation, the USA, lost the match against Belgium 1-4 and has been eliminated from the World Cup.
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