Wednesday’s victory over Bosnia‑Herzegovina at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium was fully deserved, securing Pochettino’s side a Monday night matchup against Belgium in Seattle (01:00 BST on Tuesday).
However, the triumph came at a cost.
Folarin Balogun, a 24‑year‑old former Arsenal youth product, who sparked the United States’ dominant win over Paraguay with two opening goals, contributed his third tournament goal just before halftime to open the scoring.
He might have completed a hat‑trick, missing narrowly, having a goal disallowed for offside, and striking the post from close range, but an hour later his evening—and possibly his World Cup campaign—came to an abrupt end.
What seemed like a harmless challenge with Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic for a looping ball down the left flank resulted in the forward receiving a straight red card.
While Balogun tried to shield the ball, Muharemovic positioned himself ahead, and as the forward’s boot struck the ground, it landed on the Bosnian’s ankle, causing a painful twist.
Although the incident appeared accidental in real time, referee Raphael Claus reviewed a super‑slow‑motion replay on the monitor and had little option but to show the red card.
This incident further cemented Balogun’s place in the record books.
That night made him the third American to net a hat‑trick at a World Cup and also the fourth player ever to both score and be sent off in a knockout stage, joining Brazil’s Garrincha (1962 semi‑final), his compatriot Ronaldinho (2002 quarter‑final versus England), and France’s Zinedine Zidane (2006 final versus Italy).
The red card imposes an immediate one‑game suspension, sidelining him for the Belgium match, though FIFA could extend the ban to affect the quarter‑final and semi‑final if the United States advance.
Long‑time Fulham target Ricardo Pepi is the most likely candidate to replace Balogun, although he has not scored in his 184 minutes of tournament play nor in the four pre‑tournament friendlies.
The PSV player’s most recent international goal was scored in a Nations League match in November 2024.
Crystal Palace and United States defender Chris Richards said the squad was behind Balogun.
“We told him we have his back,” he said. “We are a squad of 26, not just one.”
“Ultimately we will miss him for the next game, but we know whoever steps in will perform just as well as he did.”
“I think it will make us stronger. When one player is down, the next steps up. We are a team, more than a single player, more than the 11 on the field.”
Pochettino added: “When Balogun received the red card, I saw it as the moment we must prove we are a team; the players’ eyes said, ‘Coach, we are ready to go and fight,’ which is amazing.”
“These players are building a legacy in this country, and with our passionate fans anything is possible—why not us?”
