Folarin Balogun receives red card in USMNT's 2-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Folarin Balogun's impressive World Cup performance took a hit on Wednesday night when the American forward was shown a red card after a VAR review during the match against Bosnia-Herzegovina. This incident occurred in the 64th minute, yet the United States managed to secure a 2-0 win despite being down to 10 players.

Balogun's Controversial Ejection

Balogun was penalized for dragging his cleats down the leg of Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic. Following the match, U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino expressed his discontent with the decision, stating, "For me, never is it a red card. Never was there intention to step on the player." He emphasized that the action was a normal part of football, arguing that there was no intent to harm.

The ejection marked Balogun as the fifth American to receive a red card in World Cup history. Pochettino initially hoped for an appeal, but later acknowledged that appeals are not permissible for red cards. A U.S. Soccer spokesperson indicated that they would consider appealing if the suspension extended beyond one game.

Impact on the Team

Despite the setback, the U.S. team celebrated their first knockout round victory since 2002. Malik Tillman scored a stunning free kick to secure the second goal after Balogun's departure. U.S. midfielder Weston McKennie voiced his frustration regarding the inability to appeal the decision, labeling it as "bogus" given the importance of each player in the tournament.

Balogun's performance had previously put the U.S. ahead with his third goal of the tournament just before halftime. His exit left the team to navigate the remainder of the match with a numerical disadvantage, yet they managed to maintain their lead.

Looking Ahead: Balogun's Suspension

FIFA rules dictate that a player receiving a red card faces a one-game suspension, which means Balogun will miss the upcoming round-of-16 match against Belgium. This situation raises questions about the consistency of officiating throughout the tournament, as noted by both Pochettino and McKennie, who referenced a similar incident involving Lionel Messi earlier in the tournament.

As the U.S. prepares for their next match, the team will need to adapt without one of their key players. Balogun's unexpected red card has certainly created a mix of emotions within the squad, but the prevailing sentiment remains one of joy and unity following their hard-fought victory.