The United States national team secured a 2-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina in San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, advancing to the last 16 of the competition. However, the win was overshadowed by a red card issued to forward Folarin Balogun, which will see him miss the upcoming match against Belgium.
The match, played on Wednesday, saw Mauricio Pochettino’s side earn a date with Belgium in Seattle. The team’s coach has consistently posed the question, “Why not us?” when discussing the team’s chances of lifting a first World Cup on home soil, a sentiment that has become a rallying cry for the squad.
Balogun’s impact and red card incident
Folarin Balogun, a 24-year-old former Arsenal player, opened the scoring for the USA shortly before half-time. This marked his third goal of the tournament, following his two goals against Paraguay at the start of their campaign. He had other opportunities, including an effort ruled out for offside and a shot that hit the bar.
Just after the hour mark, Balogun was involved in a challenge with Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic. What initially appeared to be an innocuous tussle for a looping ball down the left channel resulted in a straight red card for the forward. Replays showed Balogun’s boot landing on the back of Muharemovic’s ankle, causing it to twist.
Brazilian referee Raphael Claus was instructed by the VAR to review the incident on the pitch-side monitor. Although it looked accidental in real-time, the super slow-motion replay led to the red card decision. This sending-off places Balogun in the record books as the fourth player to both score and be sent off in a knockout match, joining players like Brazil’s Garrincha in 1962, Ronaldinho in 2002, and France’s Zinedine Zidane in 2006.
The red card carries an immediate one-game ban, meaning Balogun will miss the match against Belgium. There is also a possibility that Fifa officials could extend the ban, potentially ruling him out of a quarter-final or semi-final, should the USA progress further in the tournament.
Team reaction and upcoming challenge
Following Balogun’s dismissal, the USA demonstrated resilience. Malik Tillman scored the second goal in the 80th minute from a free-kick, doubling the lead for the 10-men. The team’s defensive performance was notable, with Bosnia registering only 0.29 expected goals.
Chris Richards, a defender for Crystal Palace and the US team, stated that the players are supporting Balogun. He emphasised the team’s collective strength, saying, “We are a team of 26, not just one.” Richards added that the team believes whoever steps up will perform well in Balogun’s absence, suggesting the incident could make them stronger.
Coach Pochettino echoed this sentiment, noting that the red card moment highlighted the team’s unity and fighting spirit. He expressed confidence in his players, stating, “These guys are creating a legacy in this country and with our amazing fans everything is possible. Why not us?”
Former England forward Sue Smith commented that Balogun’s red card seemed to galvanise the US team, leading to a professional defensive performance. She suggested that the USA has surprised many with their play and progress in the tournament, and they are expected to provide a strong challenge to Belgium.
With Balogun unavailable, Ricardo Pepi is considered the most likely player to fill his role. Pepi, who has been a target for Fulham, has not scored in his 184 minutes played in this tournament, nor in the four friendly games preceding it. His last international goal was in a Nations League game in November 2024. The USA will face Belgium in Seattle on Monday evening.
Source: bbc.com