‘Big disappointment’: The truth behind America’s shocking loss to Belgium
USA TODAY Sports’ Seth Bartelny breaks down the USMNT’s stunning World Cup loss, what went wrong against Belgium, and why this loss was so disappointing.
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SEATTLE — Although he said he was not involved in the decision, Folarin Balogun of the U.S. men’s national team was not surprised by the controversy surrounding his sudden availability for the Round of 16.
Balogun was allowed to play against Belgium after his one-match suspension for his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32 was lifted, a shocking move by FIFA. After the USMNT lost 4-1 to Belgium and was eliminated from the World Cup, Balogun spoke about the situation for the first time since being cleared to play.
“If that decision were to be reversed, it would of course be controversial,” he told reporters. “So, for me, it wasn’t that surprising. But my job as a player is just to go out there and focus on my job.”
According to FIFA rules, any player who receives a red card at the World Cup must miss the next match, regardless of the round. Balogun said he accepted the decision and expected to miss the Round of 16, but FIFA announced the day before the match that the suspension would not apply to the game against Belgium. Already controversial, the decision was taken to another level after President Donald Trump revealed he had urged FIFA president Gianni Infantino to overturn the suspension.
Because the decision may have had political implications, Balogun said “I don’t have much to say about this,” all I know is that I won’t play until I’m told I can play.
“I had to respect the protocol. I didn’t know much about it. Like I said, when I was given a red card I accepted the decision and when I was told I was allowed to play I accepted the decision. I had no involvement in that process and it has nothing to do with me personally,” Balogun added.
The Belgian Football Federation expressed disappointment at the ruling, and manager Rudi Garcia told reporters hours after the ruling: “I thought the World Cup would be in July, not April.”
“It’s April Fool’s Day,” he said. “We are not defending national teams or federations. We are defending football.”
There were concerns that there was animosity between the Belgian squad and Balogun, but nothing terrible happened on the pitch. Garcia and Balogun met after Belgium’s victory and had nothing but praise for their opponent. Balogun congratulated his coach on the victory, while Garcia praised the gesture and encouraged the American striker to be proud of his performance.
“It’s not his fault. He’s not to blame. I told him that,” Garcia said.
Nearly every U.S. player and coach Mauricio Pochettino was asked whether President Trump’s involvement in this decision was looming over the team, as it distracted attention from what was happening on the field and sparked a flare-up. The idea that it contributed to Belgium’s resounding victory was largely dismissed, but Pochettino said he was “frustrated and very disappointed” by the saga.
“Personally, I’m very disappointed that there are so many people, because things get mixed up and politics can get involved,” he said.
Nancy Armor contributed to this report.
