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World Cup Controversy: Did Flo Balogun deserve red card?
Sam Panayotovich is joined by FOX Sports analyst Chris "The Bear" Fallica to talk about Flo Balogun's red card, Mauricio Pochettino's next move and the United States' future in the World Cup.
Folarin Balogun was issued a controversial red card on Wednesday that will keep him out of Monday's Round of 16 match vs. Belgium.
The call put the U.S. at a disadvantage then and takes away the Americans' best goalscorer.
On Friday, Balogun expressed his thoughts on the call that earned him a one-game suspension.
What they're saying:
Speaking to reporters in Seattle on Friday, Balogun expressed that he disagreed with the call. He also spoke about how he can only move forward.
"I think a yellow card would have been fair," Balogun told reporters on Friday. "Just due to it not being intentional, and also there's not many places I can place my foot in such a scenario."
World Cup: Will Folarin Balogun play in USA's next game after a VAR red card?
Here's what Balogun's red card means for the United States going forward.
Balogun was issued a red card in the 64th minute during Wednesday's win for a foul that looked like incidental contact on Bosnia and Herzegovina's Tarek Muharemovic. Both were playing the ball, and the foul was not issued a yellow card by referee Raphael Claus.
Claus was soon sent to the VAR monitor, and issued Balogun a red card.
Balogun also spoke about not reacting with emotion or anger. That's how his coach responded after the call was made.
"It’s something that happened and I have to accept it," Balgoun said.
U.S. National Team head coach Mauricio Pochettino came to Balogun's defense after the Americans beat Bosnia & Herzegovina on Wednesday.
"For me? Never a red card," Pochettino told reporters after the win. "Never an intention to step on the player. It was a normal action in football that happened by accident."
Here are 4 ways USA could replace suspended star Folarin Balogun vs. Belgium
The U.S. team will now be without its best scoring option against Belgium. Pochettino has several different ways to approach the team’s attack, but here are the options he most likely to consider:
What's next:
FIFA did confirm to FOX Sports that Balogun's red card suspension will only last one game.
Should the U.S. beat Belgium on Monday, Balogun will be eligible to return in the World Cup quarterfinal match.
The Source: Quotes are from Folarin Balogun's Friday press conference. Reporting on Balogun's suspension came from FOX Sports' Doug McIntyre.