USMNT's Folarin Balogun handed controversial red card with massive World Cup repercussions

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — For more than an hour Wednesday night at Levi’s Stadium, Folarin Balogun was putting on the kind of performance that changes how a nation views a striker.

Every dangerous American attack seemed to begin or end with him.

He thought he had opened the scoring early, only to glance over and see the assistant referee’s flag raised for offside. Minutes later, he believed he had earned a penalty after being clipped inside the box, but play continued. None of it rattled him.

Balogun simply kept coming.

His breakthrough finally arrived just before halftime when he buried the opening goal against Bosnia-Herzegovina, then celebrated with LeBron James’ iconic “Silencer” gesture. The celebration quickly made its way across social media, where James responded with his approval.

“LFG!!!!!! THE Silencer HAS arrived at the World Cup! Helluva goal there Young King! Salute. GO USA!” James posted in a combination of words and emojis.

Balogun nearly added another after the break, only to watch a thunderous strike rattle the crossbar. Every touch carried purpose. Every run stretched Bosnia’s back line. On a night when knockout matches demand stars, USA’s striker shined the brightest.

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Then everything unraveled.

In the 64th minute, Balogun was shown a straight red card after a video assistant referee review determined he had stepped on Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic during a challenge. Live, the play looked more awkward than malicious, the type of collision that happens dozens of times over the course of a match. Slow motion told a different story, and the referee upgraded the decision to serious foul play.

Just like that, the emotional temperature inside Levi’s Stadium flipped.

Instead of riding the shoulders of their most dangerous attacker, the Americans were forced to survive the final half hour with 10 men while Bosnia threw numbers forward searching for an equalizer.

The U.S. ultimately escaped with a 2-0 victory, but the cost may not be known until the Round of 16.

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Balogun’s suspension means Mauricio Pochettino will be without his leading striker against Belgium in Seattle. Against one of the world’s elite teams, replacing his movement, finishing ability and relentless pressure may prove impossible.

Wednesday was the ultimate World Cup roller coaster. Balogun spent 64 breathtaking minutes looking like the player capable of carrying the United States on a memorable run. He spent the final 30 watching helplessly from the tunnel, his tournament suddenly suspended by one split-second decision that could echo far beyond the Round of 32.