Balogun misses USA's Belgium clash after controversial red card — and handles it with grace

Folarin Balogun will miss the United States’ FIFA World Cup round-of-16 match against Belgium after FIFA confirmed a one-game suspension for the red card he received following his winning goal against Bosnia and Herzegovina — a sending-off that came only after referee Raphael Claus reviewed a slow-motion replay of an accidental step onto Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic’s ankle.

The 25-year-old striker, who has scored three goals in three appearances at this tournament, spoke to reporters in Seattle on Friday — his birthday — without a trace of bitterness. When told FIFA had issued only the automatic one-match ban rather than a lengthier punishment, Balogun deadpanned “That’s good” before breaking into a wide grin as the assembled media laughed.

The controversy centres on the mechanics of the decision itself. Claus, standing just yards from the incident, did not initially issue even a yellow card. He reached for red only after being directed to the slow-motion replay — a step that critics, including Balogun and U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino, argue fell outside FIFA’s own review protocols for such incidents.

“There’s nowhere else to put your leg,” Balogun said. “It’s going to be unavoidable. I think a yellow card would have been fair.”

FIFA does not permit appeals of red cards. Only a suspension longer than the standard one-match ban would have given U.S. Soccer Federation any grounds to seek a review, so the result is final regardless of the widespread criticism.

Pochettino defended his striker forcefully in his post-match press conference, and teammates were equally vocal in their support. Balogun, however, was careful to keep his own response measured — citing a responsibility to younger fans watching.

“I never want to react out of anger and out of emotion,” he said. “There’s still lots of people we’re inspiring — little kids, boys and girls who are watching — and you have to show them the correct way to handle things, even when you think it’s unjust. So I felt I did that.”

With three goals already to his name, Balogun has established himself as arguably the most complete striker the United States has produced, and his absence against FIFA’s tenth-ranked side will be a significant blow to Pochettino’s plans. Despite everything, Balogun struck a forward-looking note. “We’re all looking forward to seeing what we can do against Belgium,” he said.