SEATTLE — Two days after his controversial sending off against Bosnia-Herzegovina, Folarin Balogun said he thought “a yellow card would have been fair” for his tackle on Tarik Muhamerović, but he’s ready to support his teammates against Belgium in the Round of 16.
“There’s been lots of different emotions. I’ve been upset, I’ve been happy, it’s been surreal to be honest,” Balogun said in his first comments since the red card. “But for me it was just important to stay calm. I never want to react out of anger and emotion.
“There’s still lots of people we’re inspiring. Little kids, boys and girls are watching. We have to show them the correct way to handle things even when you think it’s unjust, so I felt I did that. I’m happy with the support, not just I’m receiving but the team. I think we’re all looking forward to seeing what we can do against Belgium.”
A U.S. Soccer spokesman said a one-game suspension for Balogun has been confirmed by FIFA.
Though Balogun couldn’t appeal the suspension down, it was possible for it to be lengthened.
The red-card decision has become a flashpoint in the World Cup.
Balogun and Muhamerović were battling for the ball when Balogun caught the back of the defender’s leg, scraping his boot across his calf and ankle.
Though it was no doubt a dangerous play, the use of slow motion replay makes the challenge look far worse than it did in real time, and Balogun clearly had no ill intent.
The similarity to a challenge earlier in the tournament from Argentina’s Lionel Messi, which did not receive any discipline, has been widely noted as well.
“If you played the game, you would understand there’s scenarios that you simply can’t avoid and it has to be taken into context when it’s reviewed,” Balogun said. “I felt it wasn’t on this occasion. I think you all saw, there’s nowhere else to put your leg. It’s gonna be unavoidable. I’ve seen many different opinions and takes. For me personally, I think a yellow card would have been fair. It’s something that’s happened, so we have to move forward and I have to accept it.”
Balogun scored a goal in the first half against Bosnia, adding to a breakout tournament. His off-ball movement and finishing ability has proven massive for the USMNT, which will now be without him in the Round of 16.
Ricardo Pepi or Haji Wright, the two other strikers on the roster, are the obvious players to come into the lineup. Moving Christian Pulisic or Weston McKennie into a striker role is another potential option for manager Mauricio Pochettino, as is starting someone like Gio Reyna.
Balogun said he hasn’t given Pepi or Wright any advice, but he’s more than happy to do so.
“Whatever he needs,” Balogun said of Pepi. “Not just him, anyone in the team, if they need advice or anything, I’m more than happy to do that.”
After the match, Balogun — who watched the end from the dressing room — came out to the field to sing John Denver’s “Country Roads” and celebrate with the crowd.
During the celebration, he found referee Raphael Claus and shook his hand.
“I think even though you can feel like some injustice happened to you, it’s not an excuse to be disrespectful or not do the right thing,” Balogun said. “After every game, I try to shake the referee’s hand. This game is no different. As I said, the most important thing for me is to give the correct example to people watching.
“This is something, I’m aware that the World Cup might be the first time a lot of American viewers are tuning in. It’s important to show people that whether things happen to you, good or bad, just continue to be yourself.”
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