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Posted on 07/14/2026 11:23:51 AM PDT by MinorityRepublican
The United States Men's National Team had all the momentum when Folarin Balogun's red card from the Round of 32 was suspended, giving him a chance to play in the Round of 16 — at least, that's what American soccer fans thought.
The day before the USMNT's Round of 16 game against Belgium, which Balogun was originally supposed to miss because of a red card in the previous game, FIFA ruled that he would be eligible.
The ruling added to what was already a huge controversy, as it was argued Balogun should not have been red-carded in the first place. Nonetheless, Balogun was active despite an appeal and strong reaction from Belgium.
However, it was hardly a needle-mover, as Belgium embarrassed the Stars and Stripes with a 4-1 win. If anything, the needle might have moved the wrong way, Balogun himself said.
"My initial reaction was I was happy to be back in the team, but when I kind of started to reflect, I knew it was going to cause a lot of controversy, and I could almost see within my teammates a bit of nerves, because it is something that is so unique," Balogun told CBS on Tuesday.
"The closer we got to the game, I tried to just focus as best as I could, but it was difficult. A lot of outside noise and that’s hard to avoid."
Balogun said the entire situation was "confusing," as the team was initially practicing without him. But the team found out on the bus to practice that Balogun would be active.
"Everybody was screaming and shouting," Balogun said.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
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Dumbass. Maybe next time try to not nearly break another player’s ankle.
So he would have been happier NOT playing?
What he’s basically saying is that the team wasn’t up to the pressure..good teams can play regardless of what is being said behind the scenes. This team wasn’t good enough
Have you actually watched the play? It was obviously incidental, he wasn’t TRYING to step on the other player’s ankle or leg.
Yeah. Sounds like excuses to me.
The still photo makes it look worse than the video but rules are rules and the officials ruled it deserved a red card. If the situation was reversed, Falungong would’ve rolled around on the ground like his foot had been decapitated and the other player would’ve been red carded. Soccer players are coached to be drama queens for this reason.
Folarin Balogun admits that red-card reversal affected USA World Cup teammates: ‘A lot of outside noise’ I hope he recovers.
My heart broke watching this game. It was evident from the kick-off the USMNT was out of sorts. Nervous, stabbing the ball, forever turning it over. What was very (somewhat embarrassingly) apparent to me was that the level of ball skill was easily one or two steps below over national teams.
In part, some responsibility falls on Pochettino for not having his team fully prepared for this big match. Finally, I do think some players may not have laid it all out on the field as well.
But, I would also add that Balogun had position on the defender, who initiated the contact by running into and shouldering Balogun from behind. That's why Balogun was off balance, and why he ended up stepping on the defender's leg.
If the rules say that Balogun deserved a red car for that? Well, just one more reason that soccer is such a crap sport.
I’m not defending the decision. I don’t really care one way or the other. I was rooting for America but the loss wasn’t the end of the world for me.
Ever seen LeBron?
It's the equivalent of saying that Lawrence Taylor was a dumbass for breaking Joe Theisman's leg.
The 16th ranked team in the world got knocked out in the round of 16. It’s not exactly a surprise. Yeah the distraction probably didn’t help. But this was the projection. They played up to expectations. Which honestly isn’t terrible.
Belgium has a lot more talent, and they were motivated.
Meh. Because I felt like it.
Yeah. A little bit of bulletin board material for Belgium, a little bit of distraction for US. You see it in all sports.
And the fact is “Captain America” Pulisic wouldn’t have even started on most of the teams in the World Cup, if he even made their squad.
Nope, because I don't like professional basketball. I love college basketball, but I don't watch the NBA.
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