MIAMI -- Mauricio Pochettino said the United States men's national team has an "amazing future" after securing a 6-0 victory over Haiti in his penultimate game in charge of the team.
Pochettino confirmed Friday that he will depart his position to manage Premier League giant Manchester United after the second leg of the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal series with Haiti on Tuesday.
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Saturday's rout means the return leg in Cincinnati will now be a formality for the U.S. in reaching the semifinals.
"I think we have an amazing future, brilliant future in this country with the national team," Pochettino told reporters after the match. "I think if we want to go for big things, that is in the way of the construction of the structure and the principles I think are here now and it's only continuing."
The buildup to Saturday's game was overshadowed by news that Pochettino was leaving just three months into a new four-year contract. And the Argentine coach applauded the players for showing little sign of distraction as they record the biggest win of his two years in charge.
"They were very, very professional from the day one when they started to see all the rumors and then when we confirmed it a few days ago," Pochettino said. "And I think if you say to me, what we feel proud of, we feel so proud of the players and how they manage the situation in a mature way.
"In the last two years, the kids, the young kids that appear and you can see how they play very relaxed because of what the experienced players provide, that platform to perform."
Christian Pulisic, playing his first game for the U.S. since the World Cup, scored twice in two second-half minutes. It took the AC Milan attacker to 35 goals in 91 appearances for the U.S., passing Eric Wynalda for fourth place on the team's all-time goal-scoring list.
Pulisic had missed the exhibition wins over Peru, Chile, Mexico and Canada as he worked his way back from a microfracture of his right tibia and fibula sustained in the 4-1 loss to Belgium at the World Cup's round of 16.
"I think he has a big opportunity there and yeah, we just have to continue as we're doing and try to continue to grow as a team," Pulisic said of Pochettino's departure.
"I think we had some good moments, and he brought a lot of excitement to the team. So I think he'll leave that behind."
Folarin Balogun scored the team's final goal of the night, rounding out the triumph after coming off the substitutes' bench.
Balogun, a striker whose red card suspension at the World Cup was controversially suspended after a phone call from U.S. President Donald Trump to FIFA head Gianni Infantino, was omitted for those friendlies when he didn't play in Monaco's first four Ligue 1 matches this season after a possible transfer to Everton fell through.
He said he was upset hearing the news of Pochettino's departure but vowed to uphold the legacy he left behind with the team.
"He's an amazing guy, an amazing coach," Balogun said. "It's always disappointing when a top coach leaves. But it's part of the game, it's part of the business.
"I wish him the best in United. We have to build on the foundation he set. I think you've seen the intensity, the togetherness since he's been in charge, and as his players have a job to carry that on."
Auston Trusty's goal on a corner kick opened the scoring for Pochettino's side in the 10th minute before five goals followed in a one-sided second half.
It was Trusty's first appearance since the death of his father last month.
"[The goal was] very meaningful," the defender told TNT Sports. "I'll try not to cry. Obviously my dad passed away not too long ago. So to come out here and win, and this is my first time playing a game since he passed.
"So I dedicate the goal to him. I dedicate this performance to him. He's my idol and really helped me throughout my journey.":
Teenager Julian Hall scored his fourth goal in just five appearances in a game that officially cap-tied the striker to the U.S., having previously been eligible to represent Poland. Weston McKennie also found the net.
It was a mostly pro-Haiti crowd Saturday, with fans draped in their country's blue and red colors cheering on the squad for reasons far beyond the game.
Violence in the Caribbean country has prevented Les Grenadiers from playing on home soil, so Haiti played "host" to the Americans in South Florida, which is home to the largest Haitian diaspora community in the United States.
When Lenny Joseph appeared to finally put Haiti on the board by finishing Josué Casimir's cross in the 70th, fans roared as if their squad had taken the lead, though Joseph was ruled offside.
The Nations League semifinals and final will take place in March, when the U.S. will have a yet-to-be-named new coach. In the meantime, under-23 coach Steve Cherundolo will lead the team's December training camp.
Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.