SEATTLE — U.S. Men’s National Team’s Heartbreak

The recent Round of 16 defeat to Belgium hit Folarin Balogun hard—enough to bring him to tears.

After the team’s 4-1 loss, Balogun, caught in the media whirlwind for the past day and a half, spoke in a low, frustrated tone, reflecting on the game.

His red card suspension had sparked global outrage, but now that controversy feels somewhat irrelevant, tucked away alongside his one-game ban.

“I accepted the red card decision, and then I accepted my return to play,” Balogun remarked about the chaotic lead-up to the match. “I don’t have much more to say on it really. With that said, I think Belgium played better today.”

Later, he mentioned that he wasn’t involved in any behind-the-scenes discussions, but didn’t provide any details.

Throughout the match, Balogun continued to make promising runs, yet his efforts didn’t translate into goal-scoring opportunities, leaving his impact largely unnoticed. Except for an 83rd-minute shot that was well saved by Thibaut Courtois, he faded into the background.

After the game, Balogun reached out to Belgium’s coach, Rudi Garcia, comparing the day’s events to an April Fool’s joke.

“Honestly, I just congratulated Belgium,” he said. “It’s just a game. There are winners and losers. You have to handle it properly, just like when I got that red card.”

Garcia reassured Balogun in a press conference that the mishap was “not his fault.”

He expressed his hope that this unfortunate situation wouldn’t overshadow the impressive World Cup Balogun had overall. The message was meant to uplift him and encourage pride in his accomplishments during the tournament.

Time will help Balogun come to terms with this setback. On Monday night, he still seemed to be processing everything.

“It’s hard to put into words the disappointment,” Balogun admitted. “I think the situation I faced has its challenges, so it’s important for me to gather my thoughts. I’m sure I’ll be able to discuss it further when the time is right.”

Christian Pulisic mentioned he twisted his ankle and knee before being sent off in the 59th minute, while Cristian Roldan remained the only player sidelined due to injury, coping with a quadriceps strain.