SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Balogun’s Red Card Impacts USMNT

Folarin Balogun will be unavailable for the U.S. Men’s National Team following the red card issued during their Round of 16 match against Belgium. This decision means the USMNT must proceed without its leading striker.

According to FIFA Regulations, specifically Article 66.4, receiving a red card results in an automatic suspension. It states that further sanctions might be imposed by FIFA’s Judiciary, but a red card suspension cannot simply be reduced.

In essence, this means that while a player might face additional match suspensions, the initial penalty for the red card stands firm.

“It’s just typical FIFA,” commented midfielder Tyler Adams after the USMNT’s 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday night.

The incident involving Balogun and Tarik Muhamerovic went unpunished during the game, yet following a VAR review, a red card was issued. Interestingly, VAR has only two outcomes: either a red card or nothing—there’s no middle ground.

Adams expressed his thoughts on the decision, saying, “You’re asking the wrong person about how I tackled. I think it’s a yellow card. Slowing things down tends to make the situation seem worse, you know?”

Before the players exited the mixed zone, a USMNT spokesperson shared a collage showcasing other fouls committed by the national team in the World Cup that didn’t result in cards.

With Balogun out, it’s likely that Ricardo Pepi will take the lead in the upcoming match against Belgium. He previously started alongside Balogun against Australia and, although he only played a few minutes in the last game, his experience may prove crucial.

Another option could be Haji Wright, although his limited playing time—just one minute in six games since being named to the national team—raises questions about his readiness.

USMNT coach Wright mentioned, “I’m glad we won, but losing Baro is tough. He’s an important player. I’ll always be ready no matter what.” This indicates a willingness to adapt despite the loss.

Coach Mauricio Pochettino might experiment by placing Christian Pulisic in a forward position, a move he tried unsuccessfully in March. Other players like Weston McKennie or Gio Reyna could also be considered.

However, changing up the tactical setup that has served them well throughout the World Cup may pose challenges. Nevertheless, both Pepi and Wright could seamlessly fit into the team’s strategy.

In other news, Mark McKenzie is dealing with a leg irritation and Cristian Roldan is recovering from a quad strain, leaving them out of the lineup. Additionally, Auston Trusty, who had an ankle issue before the match, made a late substitute appearance but did not see any playing time.