And I hate replay in hockey for the same reason...the intent was never what it turned into BUT that's a red card based on the rule. Change the rule is my suggestion but the refs shouldn't be criticized for following the rules as written
2026 World Cup - USA team thread
- Thread starter Tom McAndrew
- Start date
returns.
I heard talk about it after the game either on FOX or espn.
EDIT: Just read this on espn.com:
”Pochettino initially said he hoped the U.S. would be able to appeal that decision; when informed an appeal was not allowed, he said that he and his assistants would consider all the "different options" before making a decision. A U.S. Soccer spokesperson said after the game it would appeal the suspension if the ban was more than a single game.”
USMNT's Folarin Balogun gets red card, will miss Belgium game
Folarin Balogun's star turn at this World Cup went sideways early in the second half Wednesday night, as the American forward was sent off against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
www.espn.com
EVERY expert said that. You sound like someone who says "do your own research". Here is one FIFA rules official expeert and another official who don't believe it's meets the criteria of a red. All agree it's a foul, and I don't see anyone saying it's not, but the lack of malice as he is literally just putting his foot down mean a yellow would be fine. Hell the on field ref didn't even give a yellow there as it wasn't like he came in studs up or sliding in. If VAR didn't intervene like they didn't with Messi just days back, no card was going to be even given.
The call was very unpopular with fans, but it was also unpopular with longtime referee Andy Davies.
Davies is a former Select Group referee, with over 12 seasons working across the Premier League and Championship. After the game, he made it clear that he disagreed with the decision to give Balogun a red card.
Not in the cup.I heard talk about it after the game either on FOX or espn.
Folarin Balogun red card suspension: Can USMNT appeal or will striker miss World Cup round of 16 vs. Belgium?
Following a 64th minute red card Balogun received an automatic one-game suspension
www.cbssports.com
The first 20 seconds explain exactly why it was a red card. Then when he says "is what VAR is hiding behind". Then he said "in my opinion this didn't endanger the safety of player" is the problem. He's also saying it shouldn't have been a VAR intervention which is another opinion.
He also said "this isn't clearly wrong by the referee".
This video supports what I said.
I never said I didn’t think it was a foul. At most maybe a yellow card. Certainly not a red card. But some so-called experts on this forum state emphatically that it was, but they are likely trolling as they always tend to do.
Not gonna happen.The USA can appeal the red card. Probably will not be successful if they try.
By defining it was a red card...that's not trolling
Honestly, the trolling is those that always bash the officials. We have people here claiming the refs were out to get us. But, yes, those that understand why the call was made (and even the video proves that) are trolling.
For me it was a yellow card not worthy of a red. I would like to see since they are going to use VAR, an formal appeals process before the next game that a team can have an independent review board look at the call. If they are going to use VAR throughout the match then teams and players should have a right to appeal a call before the next match. Have 3 judges review the call and make a determination that the call stands or reverse it. I didn't like the call since the ref had let a lot of pushing, shoving, pulling, etc go all game to suddenly throw out a red card was not consistent in how he had been calling the game. Add in Messi had a similar misstep and a no call you can see how 1 of the top players in the game gets favorable calls versus a player still making his name.
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Really good effort last night. Not the prettiest and we didn't blow them off the field early like we had seen in our first two games (and many were hoping for), but very efficient. Even when down a man, we gave them few good chances (also a product of Bosnia lacking some playmaking in the final third)...seemed all they had were a few shots from distance. Thought that Ream and Richards both played extremely well and snuffed out anything that came their way.
Really tough break on the Red Card...a very harsh call, and not consistent with what we've seen the past several weeks. It looked bad when going super slow-mo and isolating on the foot, but it was more of a tangling of feet than a challenge, and was a natural movement rather than a stomp or something using additional force. We managed the game well when down a man, but losing Balogun against Belgium makes things tougher. Pepi is better than what he showed against Turkey, but he's still a step down (especially with the level that Balogun has been playing).
Odds have us as a small favorite on Monday which is where I've got it as well. Belgium isn't as good as they've been in the past and we'll have a great crowd in Seattle, but they still have plenty of guys that will punish any mistakes by our back line...it's looked great in the 3 games that mattered, but they'll get a much stiffer test.
Really tough break on the Red Card...a very harsh call, and not consistent with what we've seen the past several weeks. It looked bad when going super slow-mo and isolating on the foot, but it was more of a tangling of feet than a challenge, and was a natural movement rather than a stomp or something using additional force. We managed the game well when down a man, but losing Balogun against Belgium makes things tougher. Pepi is better than what he showed against Turkey, but he's still a step down (especially with the level that Balogun has been playing).
Odds have us as a small favorite on Monday which is where I've got it as well. Belgium isn't as good as they've been in the past and we'll have a great crowd in Seattle, but they still have plenty of guys that will punish any mistakes by our back line...it's looked great in the 3 games that mattered, but they'll get a much stiffer test.
I fully support changing the system. I just think criticism of the ref is unwarranted.
It very likely will be Pepi.
And for those concerned, he plays for PSV Eindhoven who has won the Dutch league 3 straight years. He logged considerable playing time this season and scored 16 goals.
Can you imagine if they retroactively issued a Messi red card and he missed Argentina’s next match?
The world would explode. There’s a double standard at play.
And note that the VAR official was Venezuelan. Think there was an axe to grind there?
Pepi will play for Flo. But we need a goal from Christian in this next one. I say he gets it. The biggest issue won't be on the front though, we need our best game from the back line. Absolutely cannot afford mistakes this time. The game is winnable, and Seattle...might be the difference.
The problem is that a donkey can score 10+ in the Eredivisie. A lot of great players come out of there, but it’s known for inflated goal numbers
Pepi has not impressed in the time I've watched him in the World Cup games.
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People do rise to the occasion.
I’m not really impressed with Belgium. They had trouble scoring in group stage, not an especially dynamic team nowadays.
Hopefully Pepi can rise to the occasion against Belgium. Pulisic will also have to take on even more of a playmaker role or he'll have to work to free himself up very near or inside the box to score. He's due.
That said, I believe they'll find a way to bring home the "W".
So intent and how carelessly or recklessly you go into the play or the other player are never considered? Both guys were going for a 50 50 ball and there was no reckless intent just a soccer play...sorry Futbol play.
To me this is the equivalent to a play in basketball (NBA Finals let's say) where both guys dive for a loose ball and the one guy gets his ankle rolled by the other while they are both diving so they throw the guy out of the game who didn't get his ankle rolled. And he can't play in the next game of the Finals.
This call was weak.
That's not true. There are analysts I heard criticizing the call. It was not cut and dry. Could have easily not been called a red and no one would have said that was a horrible call. Bad break for the U.S. and unfortunate the refs have reared their ugly heads in such an influential way.
Don't bother with him. The fact he is defending this call is as predictable as the sun rising. He lives for siding with the referees when a questionable call negatively impacts the team we are cheering for.
Penn State could be playing in the NC game and we could have a last play at the goal line to win it. Our receiver could get mugged and tackled right before the ball gets there. Clear PI by everyone watching including objective analysts but no call. He would side with the the referee call and then love to fight everyone on why it was the right call. It is who he is.
Looking back, I feel like the PSU Football equivalence to the Balogun red card was the Brandon Smith targeting call at Michigan in 2016. It was a call that shouldn’t be made and obviously had zero intent, but looked bad when you isolated on the hit and slowed it down or froze it. 10 years later and it’s still a bad call when I watch it (and I’m sure I’ll feel the same on this one in 10 years).
I feel like with Balogun out we go from a 60- 65% chance to win to 40-45%. Huge call that affects our on field performance.
Pretty sure that @Erial_Lion will agree that is way too much of a drop for 1 player.