U.S.'s Balogun on ban: 'Emotional rollercoaster'
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- Folarin Balogun scored the US opener in the 45th minute against Bosnia-Herzegovina before being sent off in the 64th for a bad challenge on defender Tarik Muharemovic.
- The USMNT played 36 minutes a man down — including 10 minutes of stoppage time — and padded the lead when Malik Tillman converted a direct free kick in the 82nd minute.
- Balogun received a one-match ban on Friday, ruling him out of the Belgium game but making him eligible to return for the quarterfinals if the US advances.
- Balogun argued the red card lacked context, saying "there's nowhere else to put your leg" and that a yellow card would have been fair.
- Despite the ejection, Balogun shook referee Raphael Claus's hand afterward, saying he wanted to model the right behavior for young fans during a World Cup that may be many American viewers' first.
- Midfielder Cristian Roldan continued individual training to recover from a quad injury, while defender Mark McKenzie returned to full training after foot irritation that had kept him off the Bosnia roster.
- Mauricio Pochettino and the squad were set to be honored at the Seattle Mariners–Toronto Blue Jays game Friday night, with the US manager throwing the ceremonial first pitch.
Why it matters: Balogun's one-match suspension strips the US of a starting forward for a knockout-stage matchup with Belgium, with his potential quarterfinal return depending on a win — a stakes-loaded absence that crystallizes around a teenager who chose to grab the referee's hand rather than the headlines on his way off the pitch.
