{"id":6236,"date":"2026-07-03T22:36:38","date_gmt":"2026-07-03T22:36:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/movinginsiderusa.com\/?p=6236"},"modified":"2026-07-03T22:36:38","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T22:36:38","slug":"us-striker-folarin-balogun-says-a-yellow-card-not-red-card-would-have-been-fair-at-the-world-cup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/movinginsiderusa.com\/?p=6236","title":{"rendered":"US striker Folarin Balogun says a yellow card, not red card, would have been \u2018fair\u2019 at the World Cup"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"\"<\/figure>\n\n
United States\u2019 Folarin Balogun (20) reacts to a red card during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo\/Jeff Chiu)<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n

SEATTLE \u2014 United States forward Folarin Balogun said Friday he respectfully disagrees with his red card<\/a> in the Americans\u2019 2-0 win<\/a> over Bosnia-Herzegovina in the World Cup<\/a> .<\/p>

Read more Lakers sending Ayton to the Wizards for Hardy and 2 second-round picks, AP source says<\/a><\/p>\n

Balogun was sent off Wednesday for stepping on the right ankle of Tarik Muharemovic.<\/p>\n

Before practice at Husky Soccer Stadium, Balogun said a yellow card for the illegal tackle would have been fairer.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s nowhere else to put your leg. It\u2019s going to be unavoidable,\u201d Balogun said. \u201cSo, I\u2019ve seen many different opinions and takes. But, for me personally, I think a yellow card would have been fair. It\u2019s something that\u2019s happened, so we have to move forward and I have to accept it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Balogun has to serve an automatic one-game suspension and will miss Monday\u2019s Round of 16 game against Belgium. There is no appeal process for a red-card suspension unless FIFA assesses a penalty of more than one game, which was not the case with Balogun. He will be eligible to return for the quarterfinals should the Americans advance.<\/p>\n

Balogun has three goals in the tournament, including one to give the U.S. the lead against Bosnia. He has matched Landon Donovan in 2010 for the second-most goals by an American in a World Cup, behind only Bert Patenaude\u2019s four in the initial tournament in 1930.<\/p>\n

The 25-year-old striker celebrated his goal against Bosnia with the \u201cSilencer\u201d move used by the NBA\u2019s LeBron James, which the league\u2019s career scoring leader also celebrated on social media<\/a> . Balogun, who became the first U.S. player to score two goals in a World Cup<\/a> match since 1930, said he has experienced a \u201croller coaster\u201d of emotions as of late.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeen upset, I\u2019ve been happy. It\u2019s been surreal, to be honest,\u201d Balogun said. \u201cBut for me, I think it was just important to stay calm. I never want to react out of anger and out of emotion. There\u2019s still lots of people who are inspiring little kids, boys and girls who are watching. We have to show them the correct way to handle things, even when you think it\u2019s unjust.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not yet clear who U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino will select to replace Balogun in the starting lineup. Ricardo Pepi and Haji Wright are the most likely candidates.<\/p>

Read more Egypt wins in World Cup knockout round debut with 4-2 penalty shootout edge over Australia<\/a><\/p>\n

When Christian Pulisic sat out<\/a> the 2-0 win against Australia<\/a> in group play because of a calf injury, Pepi started in his place.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you miss a player like Balo, things change a little bit, but we\u2019ve been flexible,\u201d teammate Tyler Adams said. \u201cGuys have shown that they\u2019re ready to play. If it\u2019s Pepi, if it\u2019s Haji, we go a different direction. It should be an exciting opportunity for whoever has to step up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Belgium is aware of the Americans\u2019 offensive capabilities outside of Balogun. Pulisic has 33 goals in 89 international appearances, fifth most in U.S. history. Five players other than Balogun have scored for the U.S. in the tournament.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey have a lot of danger in the team,\u201d Belgium defender Maxim De Cuyper said. \u201cLot of quality. I don\u2019t want to say too much, which qualities are the best. But, I think they grew a lot in this tournament. You see they are in good flow. They play at home, I think it\u2019s very dangerous for us. So, we will be prepared.\u201d<\/p>\n

To be without Balogun for one of the most significant matches in U.S. history is still a significant blow. A victory on home soil would secure a spot in the quarterfinals of the World Cup for only the second time for the Americans. The first was in 2002.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love seeing how engaged the country is in our journey and what they\u2019re doing,\u201d Balogun said. \u201cSo, my role is just to continue supporting everybody, to keep morale high. And, I\u2019m sure for the game against Belgium we can really create a great atmosphere to win.\u201d<\/p>\n

Midfielder Cristian Roldan trained on his own again as he continues to rehab a quad injury. Defender Mark McKenzie trained in full after dealing with a foot injury that sidelined him for the Bosnia match.<\/p>

Read more FIFA considering earlier kickoff for Mexico vs. England at the World Cup due to thunderstorm fears<\/a><\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

See more of AP\u2019s World Cup coverage here<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

United States forward Folarin Balogun says he respectfully disagrees with his red card in the 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in the World Cup<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6234,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6236","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-interesting"],"yoast_head":"\nUS striker Folarin Balogun says a yellow card, not red card, would have been \u2018fair\u2019 at the World Cup - Moving Insider USA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/movinginsiderusa.com\/?p=6236\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"US striker Folarin Balogun says a yellow card, not red card, would have been \u2018fair\u2019 at the World Cup - 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