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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Yes. You are right about that.
I'll have to ruminate on this. I like ruminating on things.
He meant to say- Thank You Mr Trump.
One of the best and most conventional characteristics of language is that it can be used for teaching.
In recent decades, people have accepted the absurd propaganda that being taught is an insult.
Amen.
The US may have played with more heart if their probably unfairly red carded player has been kept out. The best athletes in the US simply do not choose soccer.
Occam’s Razor: Maybe we just suck.
That said, I do think that letting him play hurt the team. It was a big distraction. They are a much better team than in many previous years, but you need to play at a high level in the World Cup to have a chance, and they were a bit deflated I think. It would probably have been better if they didn't have him for that game, went in as underdogs without pressure, and shifted their tactics a bit. If they lost then, fine.
Anyway, I would be very upset if I were Norway and had a ball kicked by their goalkeeper hit a wire on the spider camera, change the trajectory of the ball, and have it drop right in the path of an English player and lead to a goal.
Officials ruled it deserved a red card based on the slow-motion replay - basically two or three frames - which is NOT allowed by the officiating rules. The officials broke the rules to call the penalty.
I agree with your post except the part that says “best athletes”. I am of the opinion that soccer players are the most fit athletes, and in my eyes, that makes them the “best.”
There are very few American football, basketball, baseball, or hockey players who could play half of a half of a soccer game. They’d pass out or complain why they weren’t subbed in or out.
I know this will rankle many here, but IMHO, soccer players are among the finest athletes in the world.
For the US, soccer is a game. For the rest of the world, it’s much more than that. It’s like a fight. It’s the one big “sport” they have. If we suck, this is partly why.
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