USA advance but Balogun red card raises concerns

The United States men's national team continued their World Cup campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday, securing a quarterfinal clash with Belgium. However, the win came at a significant cost as striker Folarin Balogun was sent off late in the second half, casting doubt on his availability for the remainder of the tournament.

Balogun's night of highs and lows

Balogun, 24, opened the scoring shortly before halftime with his third goal of the tournament, becoming just the third American to score three goals in a single World Cup edition. He had opportunities to add to his tally, including a shot that hit the crossbar and a disallowed goal for offside, but his night took a dramatic turn in the 63rd minute.

In an aerial duel with Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic, Balogun's boot landed on the back of Muharemovic's ankle, causing a gruesome twist. Brazilian referee Raphael Claus initially allowed play to continue but was sent to the monitor for a review. After viewing a super slow-motion replay, Claus issued a straight red card. The challenge appeared accidental in real time, but the slow-motion footage left the referee with little choice under the laws of the game.

The red card carries an automatic one-match suspension, ruling Balogun out of the quarterfinal against Belgium. FIFA officials could extend the ban to include a potential semifinal or final, depending on the severity of the incident.

Team rallies around Balogun

Despite the setback, the US team showed resilience, holding onto their lead with 10 men. Defender Chris Richards, who plays for Crystal Palace, expressed the team's support for Balogun. "We told him we have got his back," Richards said. "We are a team of 26, not just one. Ultimately we are going to miss him for the next game but we know whoever is going to step up is going to do a job just as well as he did."

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino echoed that sentiment, noting that the red card galvanized the squad. "When Balogun received the red card, I thought that is the moment we need to show we are a team and the eyes of the players were [saying], 'Coach, we are ready to go and fight' and that is amazing," Pochettino said. "These guys are creating a legacy in this country and with our amazing fans everything is possible. Why not us?"

Who will replace Balogun?

With Balogun suspended, the likely replacement is Ricardo Pepi, a PSV Eindhoven forward who has long been a target for Fulham. However, Pepi has not scored in 184 minutes of playing time at this tournament or in four friendly matches leading up to it. His last international goal came in a Nations League match in November 2024.

Former England forward Sue Smith, analyzing the match for BBC One, said the red card revealed a new dimension to the US team. "Once Balogun got sent off, we then saw a real professional side from the USA," she said. "They have surprised some people with their discipline and organization."

What lies ahead

The United States will face Belgium in Seattle on Monday evening (01:00 BST Tuesday). Belgium, a traditional powerhouse, will pose a stern test for Pochettino's side. The US will need to find a way to replace Balogun's goal-scoring threat while maintaining the defensive solidity they showed against Bosnia.

Pochettino's rallying cry, "Why not us?" — a question he posed in March when discussing the team's chances of winning a first World Cup on home soil — has become a motivational mantra for the squad. With four matches potentially remaining on the road to the final on July 19, the answer remains uncertain, but the team's spirit remains high.