The USMNT striker defends his "unintentional" foul as a yellow-card offense while pledging to support his teammates from the sidelines.
Folarin Balogun has broken his silence on the red card he was shown during the United States’ World Cup win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, insisting the challenge was “totally unintentional”.
The USA moved into the last 16 with a 2-0 win, but Balogun’s sending off means he will miss the crucial clash with Belgium.
It is a tough blow for Balogun at a point in the tournament where every match matters. He had been part of a USMNT side gathering momentum in front of their own fans, but now he will have to watch from the sidelines as his team-mates push for a place in the quarter-finals.
Balogun has made clear that he disagreed with the decision while accepting that the ruling had been made.
“First and foremost, it was totally unintentional, which I'm sure a lot of people know,” Balogun said. “The choice of the referee was of course his choice, but I don't think it was the correct call.
“I think a yellow card would have been fair just due to it not being intentional. Also, there's not many places I can place my foot in such a scenario, but it's happened and it's something I have to accept and just move forward from.”
Balogun’s frustration was clear. He believed the incident was accidental and hinted there was more to it, saying he thought the referee might even give him a free-kick after a shove in the back.
Even so, Balogun was careful not to let his own disappointment overshadow the bigger picture. The USA are through, Belgium are up next, and the focus now is on the team’s progress.
He also spoke about the emotions of seeing his yellow card upgraded to red in the middle of a knockout tie.
“Just a ton of emotion,” he said. “It's difficult to see red at any time, but especially now, in such a high-pressure tournament, such a high-pressure situation.
“There were many emotions, but for me the most important thing was just trying to stay calm. I didn't want to react out of emotion, out of anger, and I had to just accept that the decision was made whether I agreed with it or not.”
Now, Balogun’s composure will be tested in a different way. He cannot play against Belgium, but he made it clear he still wants to play his part off the pitch.
Balogun said the support from team-mates, fans and the wider US football community has helped him start to move on. He also made it clear he plans to stay involved however he can as the USA prepare for their biggest test yet.
“I'm going to be there in any way I can to help the team,” Balogun said. “The most important thing is just making sure the guys are equipped to go out there and shine.
“I want to be somebody they can come to if they need advice or if they need help, and I'm going to definitely show my support to the fullest.”
Balogun admitted the situation is frustrating, but he was not looking for sympathy. The USA are still in the tournament, still believing, and still have the chance to keep their World Cup run going in front of their own fans.
“As you can imagine, it's frustrating, but what can you do?” he said. “I can't sit here and dwell.”
Balogun felt the red card was harsh, but he knows the decision cannot be changed now. His focus has shifted to helping the group deal with Belgium, even if he can’t influence the game on the pitch.
