FIFA has confirmed that Folarin Balogun will only miss the USMNT’s World Cup last-16 clash with Belgium.
Balogun was sent off during the 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday for stamping on the right ankle of Tarik Muharemovic.
But, while he will sit out the showdown with Belgium on Monday night, Balogun will be back for the quarter-finals if the Americans progress.
Before practice at Husky Soccer Stadium in Seattle on Friday, Balogun insisted a yellow card for the illegal tackle would have been fairer.
‘There’s nowhere else to put your leg. It’s going to be unavoidable,’ Balogun said.
‘So, I’ve seen many different opinions and takes. But, for me personally, I think a yellow card would have been fair. It’s something that’s happened, so we have to move forward and I have to accept it.’
USA striker Folarin Balogun was sent off after a VAR review of this foul against Bosnia
The red card will deprive the USA of their top striker in the Round of 16 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.
Balogun has three goals in the tournament, including one to give the USMNT 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’s four in the initial tournament in 1930.
Balogun, who became the first U.S. player to score two goals in a World Cup match since 1930, said he has experienced a ‘roller coaster’ of emotions as of late.
‘Been upset, I´ve been happy. It´s been surreal, to be honest,’ Balogun said.
‘But for me, I think it was just important to stay calm. I never want to react out of anger and out of emotion. There´s 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´s unjust.’
It’s 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.
When Christian Pulisic sat out the 2-0 win against Australia in the group stage because of a calf injury, Pepi started in his place.
