Folarin Balogun of USMNT…

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Folarin Balogun‘s shining moment at the World Cup took a turn for the worse early in the second half on Wednesday night, as the American forward received a red card — following a VAR review — for scraping his cleats down the leg of Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic.

Despite being reduced to ten men, the United States triumphed with a scoreline of 2-0, highlighted by a stunning free kick from Malik Tillman, which secured a second goal for Mauricio Pochettino’s squad after Balogun’s exit.

Pochettino mentioned that Balogun was “sad” and “disappointed” in the locker room afterward, expressing his belief that the striker’s dismissal was unjust.

“For me, it should never be a red card,” Pochettino stated. “There was no intention to harm the player.” He continued, “If the intent was to injure the opponent, I would understand. But this was a typical play in football where both players are contesting for the ball.

According to FIFA regulations, a player receiving a red card faces a one-match suspension, meaning Balogun will miss the round-of-16 match against Belgium.

Pochettino initially expressed hope that the U.S. could appeal the decision; however, upon learning that an appeal was off the table, he indicated that he and his coaching staff would contemplate various “different options” before deciding on a course of action. A spokesperson for U.S. Soccer noted post-match that they would pursue an appeal if the suspension extended beyond a single game.

“At this stage of the tournament, when every player is vital, I find it quite absurd,” U.S. midfielder Weston McKennie commented about the inability to challenge the red card.

Ricardo Pepi and Haji Wright are the other forwards on the squad.

Pochettino was also questioned about a similar incident earlier in the tournament when Lionel Messi appeared to commit a comparable offense in Argentina’s match versus Algeria but was not penalized.

“For me, both situations should not have resulted in a red card,” Pochettino affirmed.

“I believe there have been numerous similar incidents throughout the tournament where no card was issued,” McKennie added. “It’s disappointing, and while I’m not aware of how the conclusions are reached, based on what my teammates have said, I don’t think it deserved a red card.”

Balogun had given the U.S. a 1-0 lead just before halftime, marking his third goal of the tournament. He seemed shocked as referee Raphael Claus of Brazil first reviewed the incident on the monitor and subsequently showed him a red card in the 64th minute. Balogun walked slowly off the pitch, and the U.S. faced the remainder of the match with 10 players.

He became the fifth American to be shown a red card during a World Cup, following Eric Wynalda against Czechoslovakia in 1990, Fernando Clavijo against Brazil in 1994, and Pablo Mastroeni and Eddie Pope against Italy in 2006. Additionally, he is the first player since Zinedine Zidane to score and then be sent off in a World Cup knockout match, after Zidane’s infamous red card in the 2006 final.

Even with Balogun’s dismissal, scenes of pure elation ensued following the victory, as players, fans, and coaches celebrated joyously, singing a spirited rendition of John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” after achieving the United States’ first knockout round win since 2002.

“You feel a part of something larger, something that we are building here,” Pochettino remarked. “I thoroughly enjoy being a part of this incredible project. And when that song begins to resonate throughout the stadium, it’s impossible not to sing along.”