{"id":4470,"date":"2026-07-07T11:33:31","date_gmt":"2026-07-07T11:33:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bostonrelocationinsider.com\/?p=4470"},"modified":"2026-07-07T11:33:31","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T11:33:31","slug":"after-his-suspension-was-lifted-in-scrutinized-move-folarin-balogun-has-little-impact-in-us-world-cup-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bostonrelocationinsider.com\/?p=4470","title":{"rendered":"After his suspension was lifted in scrutinized move, Folarin Balogun has little impact in US World Cup loss"},"content":{"rendered":"
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SEATTLE \u2014 Folarin Balogun\u2019s presence on the field for the United States against Belgium had a seismic impact on the world of soccer, but he ultimately played a forgettable role in the Americans\u2019 4-1 loss in the World Cup round of 16 on Monday.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more US-Bosnia World Cup match was most-watched soccer telecast in country\u2019s history<\/a><\/p>\n

The 25-year-old striker, who had three goals in this World Cup, was shown a red card during the United States victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina, but FIFA lifted his suspension for Monday\u2019s match after President Trump intervened on Balogun\u2019s behalf.<\/span><\/p>\n

FIFA\u2019s decision prompted soccer leaders to question the integrity of the World Cup, with European soccer body UEFA saying FIFA \u201ccrossed a red line\u201d and Belgium\u2019s soccer federation contesting Balogun\u2019s eligibility.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Balogun did not score on Monday. He helped set up Malik Tillman\u2019s goal in the 31st minute when he was fouled by Belgium defender Brandon Mechele roughly 25 yards outside the Red Devils\u2019 goal.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tillman scored on the ensuing free kick. Just before the goal, Balogun waved his arms and pumped up the American fans.<\/span><\/p>\n

The United States tried to set up Balogun multiple times. He made use of his speed on several runs but could not get past Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. His best chance came in the 82nd minute, when Courtois got in front of a left-footed attempt. Balogun was replaced by Haji Wright in the 92nd minute.<\/span><\/p>\n

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To a suggestion that Balogun wasn\u2019t a major presence on the field, midfielder Tyler Adams responded: \u201cWas anyone a major presence on the field today?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe were happy that we had the opportunity for him to play,\u201d Adams said. \u201cHe tried today to be a presence and a nuisance, and at times he was \u2014 getting the ball in behind and doing what he does. Just didn\u2019t have too many opportunities.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more France\u2019s mark on this World Cup extends far beyond its borders<\/a><\/p>\n

Last Wednesday during the Americans\u2019 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina, Balogun was shown a red card by Brazilian referee Raphael Claus for stepping on an opponent\u2019s ankle, triggering an automatic one-game suspension.<\/span><\/p>\n

After Trump spoke by phone to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, FIFA\u2019s disciplinary committee suspended the discipline for a year on Sunday.<\/span><\/p>\n

Infantino said he did not play a role in the decision by the disciplinary committee, which also fined Balogun $40,000, a penalty that can be paid by the US Soccer Federation.<\/span><\/p>\n

The FIFA president was in attendance for the match, watching from a suite with Pascale Van Damme, chair of the Belgian Football Association, and Cindy Parlow Cone, president of the USSF. US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin was seated nearby.<\/span><\/p>\n

Belgium fans chanted \u201cFIFA Mafia!\u201d during their pregame march to Lumen Field.<\/span><\/p>\n

Balogun finished the tournament with three goals, matching Landon Donovan in 2010 for the second-most goals by an American in a World Cup. Bert Patenaude holds the United States record with four in the initial tournament in 1930.<\/span><\/p>\n

Balogun, who was playing in his first World Cup for the Americans, became the first American to score two goals in a match in the tournament since 1930. But he failed to lead the United States to what would have been its first consecutive knockout-stage wins. The best performance by the Americans since 1930 remains their run to the quarterfinals in 2002.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more Some thoughts on the Jaylen Brown trade, and how the Celtics move forward without him<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The 25-year-old striker, who had three goals in this World Cup, was shown a red card during the United States victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina, but FIFA lifted his suspension for Monday\u2019s match after President Trump intervened on Balogun\u2019s behalf.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4469,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4470","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sport"],"yoast_head":"\nAfter his suspension was lifted in scrutinized move, Folarin Balogun has little impact in US World Cup loss - Boston Relocation Insider<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/bostonrelocationinsider.com\/?p=4470\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"After his suspension was lifted in scrutinized move, Folarin Balogun has little impact in US World Cup loss - 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