{"id":3882,"date":"2026-07-07T06:07:57","date_gmt":"2026-07-07T06:07:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/?p=3882"},"modified":"2026-07-07T06:07:57","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T06:07:57","slug":"folarin-balogun-goes-out-with-a-whimper-for-usmnt-in-world-cup-loss-after-red-card-controversy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/?p=3882","title":{"rendered":"Folarin Balogun goes out with a whimper for USMNT in World Cup loss after red card controversy"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

SEATTLE \u2014 After all that, Folarin Balogun\u2019s impact on the U.S. men\u2019s national team\u2019s Round of 16 loss to Belgium amounted to a whimper.<\/p>

Read more Heated USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino takes out frustrations on water bottles after second Belgium goal<\/a><\/p>\n

The man at the center of a global news cycle over the last 36 hours was, like the rest of his teammates, left to answer for a brutal 4-1 defeat to Belgium with a hushed voice full of regret. <\/p>\n

The global outrage that followed the suspension of his red card suspension will rescind into the same nebulous space as Balogun\u2019s one-match ban itself: still technically there, but largely irrelevant.<\/p>\n

\u201cI accepted the decision when I was given the red card. Then I also accepted the decision when I could play,\u201d Balogun said of the 36-hour saga that engulfed the World Cup. \u201cThere\u2019s not much else I can really say on the matter. I think with all that being said, Belgium were the better team today.\u201d<\/p>\n

Balogun later added that he had no involvement in the process behind the scenes, though he avoided saying he was ignorant of it entirely.<\/p>\n

Though he made his usual promising runs in behind, the service simply wasn\u2019t there to create the chances Balogun has been at the center of throughout the World Cup. Aside from an 83rd-minute shot parried away by Thibaut Courtois, you wouldn\u2019t have noticed Balogun for much of the evening, if not for all that had happened Sunday.<\/p>\n

Every match of the FIFA World Cup will air on either FOX or FOX Sports 1. If you don\u2019t have cable, you can take advantage of a DIRECTV free trial to stream it all.<\/p>\n

Prefer to check out the action live and in person? Shop World Cup 2026 tickets on SeatGeek and make sure to use promo code NYPOST10<\/strong> for $10 off purchases over $250 at checkout if you\u2019re a first-time SeatGeek user.<\/p>\n

After the match ended, he made a point to go over to Belgium manager Rudi Garcia, who had compared the decision to April Fools\u2019 Day on Sunday.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo be honest, I just congratulated Belgium,\u201d Balogun said. \u201cThis is a game. There\u2019s winners and losers. Similar to when I was given the red card, you have to handle it the right way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Garcia, at his press conference, said he told Balogun that the situation was \u201cnot his fault.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

World Cup Merch shop<\/h3>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\"USMNT<\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n
\n

\nUSMNT Icon Red T-Shirt<\/span>\n<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tBuilt for match days and everyday wear, this officially licensed USMNT tee brings classic national pride wherever you go.\t\t\t\t<\/p>

Read more USMNT outclassed by Belgium as World Cup run comes to crashing end<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t$29.95\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t$25.49\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\tBuy Now\t\t\t\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\"Christian<\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n
\n

\nChristian Pulisic Navy USMNT T-Shirt<\/span>\n<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tRep your favorite player in classic navy with this officially licensed tee made for diehard fans and big match energy.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t$34.99\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\tBuy Now\t\t\t\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\"usa<\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n
\n

\nUSA Soccer Front\/Back Crest Pullover Hoodie<\/span>\n<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tStay warm while repping the red, white, and blue in this officially licensed USMNT pullover hoodie featuring bold front and back crest graphics.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t$54.99\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\tBuy Now\t\t\t\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\"world<\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n
\n

\nFIFA World Cup \u201926 Host Country Flags T-Shirt<\/span>\n<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tCelebrate the global game in style with this FIFA World Cup 26 tee featuring all three host countries\u2019 logos and flags.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t$28.00\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t$23.80\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\tBuy Now\t\t\t\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\"world<\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n
\n

\n2026 Panini FIFA World Cup Sticker Box (25 Sticker Packs)<\/span>\n<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tRip into the excitement of World Cup season with this 2026 Panini sticker box packed with 25 packs of collectible stickers for fans and traders.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t$50.00\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\tBuy Now\t\t\t\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\"world<\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n
\n

\nadidas FIFA World Cup \u201926 Trionda Host Nation League Soccer Ball<\/span>\n<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tBring World Cup vibes to every kickaround with the official adidas FIFA World Cup \u201926 Soccer Ball built with host nation style and game-ready feel.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t$45.00\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\tBuy Now\t\t\t\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cHe said he hopes this situation won\u2019t overshadow the fantastic World Cup I\u2019ve had,\u201d Balogun said. \u201cHe just wanted to encourage me to be positive. To be proud of what I\u2019ve been able to accomplish this tournament.\u201d<\/p>\n

With time, Balogun will be able to do that. On Monday night, he seemed to still be coming to grips with the moment.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe feeling of disappointment is very difficult to put into words,\u201d Balogun said. \u201cI think for me, personally, also, the situation I\u2019ve been involved in is also gonna present challenges. So it\u2019s just important for me to be able to gather my thoughts and then at the right time, I\u2019m sure I\u2019ll be able to speak on the topic.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

Christian Pulisic said he twisted his ankle and knee before coming off in the 59th minute.<\/p>\n

Cristian Roldan (quad strain) was the only U.S. player listed as unavailable due to injury.<\/p>

Read more Alexi Lalas, Carli Lloyd rip USMNT following \u2018disappointing\u2019 World Cup exit<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

After all that, Folarin Balogun\u2019s impact on the U.S. men\u2019s national team\u2019s Round of 16 loss to Belgium amounted to a whimper.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3881,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[76,75],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3882","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-soccer","category-world-cup-2026"],"yoast_head":"\nFolarin Balogun goes out with a whimper for USMNT in World Cup loss after red card controversy - Metro Transit Review<\/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:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/?p=3882\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Folarin Balogun goes out with a whimper for USMNT in World Cup loss after red card controversy - Metro Transit Review\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"After all that, Folarin Balogun\u2019s impact on the U.S. men\u2019s national team\u2019s Round of 16 loss to Belgium amounted to a whimper.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/?p=3882\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Metro Transit Review\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-07-07T06:07:57+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/3c04cbc8aa4bad7fce1a32fe163515f2.webp\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1333\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/webp\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"admin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"admin\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/metrotransitreview.com\\\/?p=3882#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/metrotransitreview.com\\\/?p=3882\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"admin\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/metrotransitreview.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/7cd7bd9683106710eed62ba5da559b14\"},\"headline\":\"Folarin Balogun goes out with a whimper for USMNT in World Cup loss after red card controversy\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-07-07T06:07:57+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/metrotransitreview.com\\\/?p=3882\"},\"wordCount\":789,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/metrotransitreview.com\\\/?p=3882#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/metrotransitreview.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/07\\\/62b65834a9e41311616b3cac81a9fb29.webp\",\"articleSection\":[\"Soccer\",\"World Cup 2026\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/metrotransitreview.com\\\/?p=3882#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/metrotransitreview.com\\\/?p=3882\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/metrotransitreview.com\\\/?p=3882\",\"name\":\"Folarin Balogun goes out with a whimper for USMNT in World Cup loss after red card controversy - Metro Transit Review\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/metrotransitreview.com\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/metrotransitreview.com\\\/?p=3882#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/metrotransitreview.com\\\/?p=3882#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/metrotransitreview.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/07\\\/62b65834a9e41311616b3cac81a9fb29.webp\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-07-07T06:07:57+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/metrotransitreview.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/7cd7bd9683106710eed62ba5da559b14\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/metrotransitreview.com\\\/?p=3882#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/metrotransitreview.com\\\/?p=3882\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/metrotransitreview.com\\\/?p=3882#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/metrotransitreview.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/07\\\/62b65834a9e41311616b3cac81a9fb29.webp\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/metrotransitreview.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/07\\\/62b65834a9e41311616b3cac81a9fb29.webp\",\"width\":1200,\"height\":799},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/metrotransitreview.com\\\/?p=3882#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/metrotransitreview.com\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Folarin Balogun goes out with a whimper for USMNT in World Cup loss after red card controversy\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/metrotransitreview.com\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/metrotransitreview.com\\\/\",\"name\":\"Metro Transit Review\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/metrotransitreview.com\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/metrotransitreview.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/7cd7bd9683106710eed62ba5da559b14\",\"name\":\"admin\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/50b1ad2e498f523425ee0a8cc5180a210646db1622662a3d56cc405d3e0c346a?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/50b1ad2e498f523425ee0a8cc5180a210646db1622662a3d56cc405d3e0c346a?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/50b1ad2e498f523425ee0a8cc5180a210646db1622662a3d56cc405d3e0c346a?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"admin\"},\"sameAs\":[\"http:\\\/\\\/metrotransitreview.com\"],\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/metrotransitreview.com\\\/?author=1\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Folarin Balogun goes out with a whimper for USMNT in World Cup loss after red card controversy - Metro Transit Review","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/?p=3882","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Folarin Balogun goes out with a whimper for USMNT in World Cup loss after red card controversy - Metro Transit Review","og_description":"After all that, Folarin Balogun\u2019s impact on the U.S. men\u2019s national team\u2019s Round of 16 loss to Belgium amounted to a whimper.","og_url":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/?p=3882","og_site_name":"Metro Transit Review","article_published_time":"2026-07-07T06:07:57+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2000,"height":1333,"url":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/3c04cbc8aa4bad7fce1a32fe163515f2.webp","type":"image\/webp"}],"author":"admin","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"admin","Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/?p=3882#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/?p=3882"},"author":{"name":"admin","@id":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/#\/schema\/person\/7cd7bd9683106710eed62ba5da559b14"},"headline":"Folarin Balogun goes out with a whimper for USMNT in World Cup loss after red card controversy","datePublished":"2026-07-07T06:07:57+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/?p=3882"},"wordCount":789,"commentCount":0,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/?p=3882#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/62b65834a9e41311616b3cac81a9fb29.webp","articleSection":["Soccer","World Cup 2026"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/?p=3882#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/?p=3882","url":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/?p=3882","name":"Folarin Balogun goes out with a whimper for USMNT in World Cup loss after red card controversy - Metro Transit Review","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/?p=3882#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/?p=3882#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/62b65834a9e41311616b3cac81a9fb29.webp","datePublished":"2026-07-07T06:07:57+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/#\/schema\/person\/7cd7bd9683106710eed62ba5da559b14"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/?p=3882#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/?p=3882"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/?p=3882#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/62b65834a9e41311616b3cac81a9fb29.webp","contentUrl":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/62b65834a9e41311616b3cac81a9fb29.webp","width":1200,"height":799},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/?p=3882#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Folarin Balogun goes out with a whimper for USMNT in World Cup loss after red card controversy"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/","name":"Metro Transit Review","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/#\/schema\/person\/7cd7bd9683106710eed62ba5da559b14","name":"admin","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/50b1ad2e498f523425ee0a8cc5180a210646db1622662a3d56cc405d3e0c346a?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/50b1ad2e498f523425ee0a8cc5180a210646db1622662a3d56cc405d3e0c346a?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/50b1ad2e498f523425ee0a8cc5180a210646db1622662a3d56cc405d3e0c346a?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"admin"},"sameAs":["http:\/\/metrotransitreview.com"],"url":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/?author=1"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3882","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3882"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3882\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3881"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3882"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3882"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3882"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}