SEATTLE — Following the U.S. men’s national team’s 2-0 victory against Bosnia-Herzegovina, fan frustration with VAR remains at an all-time high. The red card issued to striker Folarin Balogun in the 64th minute—after a lengthy VAR review—has reignited feelings of injustice reminiscent of the 2002 World Cup. Back then, a critical handling call involving Germany’s Torsten Frings went unpunished, leading to the U.S. team’s exit at the quarterfinals.
Once again, USMNT fans feel wronged, and despite a wave of optimism, it’s clear that FIFA’s disciplinary committee will not overturn Balogun’s red card—such action is prohibited except in cases of mistaken identity. As the old saying goes, “This isn’t a court of justice, son. This is a court of law.”
As a result, Balogun will miss the crucial round-of-16 match against Belgium. The only possible appeal is aimed at reducing a multi-game suspension if it is imposed.
It will be a difficult sight to see Balogun sidelined during the match against Belgium on Monday in Seattle, but the USMNT must adapt to his absence. The emotional support for Balogun has already begun.
“I just told him he’s done so much for us, and now we got his back,” said U.S. forward Christian Pulisic following the Bosnia-Herzegovina game.
U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino has several strategies to consider, though one option seems unlikely. In a friendly against Portugal last March, Pochettino placed Pulisic as a central striker to end his goalless streak—but the plan backfired.
Pulisic struggled to make an impact, often finding himself outmatched against larger defenders, winning merely one of seven duels he engaged in. This misuse of his abilities should be avoided going forward.
Moreover, the USMNT boasts capable strikers in Ricardo Pepi and Haji Wright. While neither matches Balogun’s caliber, both are eager to step into more significant roles. Wright has expressed his readiness for whatever position he is needed to fill.
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Roger Bennett STILL HAS FAITH w/o Folarin Balogun ‘I THINK WE CAN WIN IT’
“I’m glad we won, but losing Balo is tough since he contributes greatly to our team,” Wright said after the match. “I’ll always be ready for whatever comes our way.”
Pepi, with more experience in the World Cup (184 minutes as opposed to Wright’s one), seems likely to start. His passing game has been notably better than Wright’s, demonstrated by an 83.7% overall completion rate and an impressive success rate of 80.8% in the attacking third—compared to Wright’s 68.6% and 71.5%, respectively.
It’s worth noting that leagues vary significantly; the English Championship, where Wright played for Coventry City, tends to be more physical than the Eredivisie, where Pepi played for PSV Eindhoven.
Recent performances also support that Pepi has an edge in passing skills. In a pre-World Cup friendly against Senegal, he provided assists for the first two U.S. goals and showcased his ability to connect with Pulisic effectively. As Balogun’s ability to run behind defenses is now unavailable, this type of linking play will be essential in the upcoming match.
With Balogun sidelined, Pulisic will need to take on additional creative responsibilities. If Pepi can replicate his vision from the Senegal game and alleviate some of that burden, the U.S. will significantly enhance its chances against Belgium.
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Can Pepi step up for USMNT in Balogun’s absence?
Pepi appears to excel at supporting the U.S.’s pressing game—an aspect often overlooked in Balogun’s play but equally crucial. Both Pepi and Wright may even have an advantage in aerial duels, being taller than Balogun. This season, Pepi scored six goals with his head and Wright had three, while Balogun netted just one, making them more appealing targets for crosses. However, the success of those crosses will depend on fullbacks Antonee Robinson and Sergiño Dest, who need to improve their accuracy, particularly Robinson, whose completion rate of 14.3% on crosses falls below the tournament average of 23.7%.
While Pochettino has other options for striker, they are limited to emergency situations. Players like Gio Reyna and Alejandro Zendejas excel more in supportive roles than as central strikers.
The hope remains that the U.S. can secure a victory over Belgium, keeping Balogun’s World Cup dreams alive.