Former USMNT Coach Backs Folarin Balogun Red Card Decision, Cites Serious Injury Risk

Former United States men's national team coach Bruce Arena agreed with the decision to give a red card to Folarin Balogun in the U.S.' 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday night.

Arena said on FanDuel's Coaches' Corner that Balogun "could've broke the player's ankle" with his contact on Tarik Muharemović. The San Jose Earthquakes coach said the intent was irrelevant:

Midway through the second half, Balogun went to play the ball and his right foot came down on Muharemovic's ankle. Still images and slowed-down replays of the contact showed the ankle bending awkwardly, and the Sassuolo defender was fortunate to escape a serious injury.

American fans were obviously disappointed to see Balogun sent off in the 64th minute as he has been the USMNT's best attacker during the 2026 World Cup. He scored the opener in the 45th minute after seeing an earlier goal ruled out for offside.

Coach Mauricio Pochettino told reporters after the match the foul was "never a red card."

"Never an intention to step on the player," he said. "It was a normal action in football that happened by accident."

Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg, who's working as an analyst for Fox Sports, also thought the sending-off was harsh when the challenge was unintentional:

In domestic leagues, clubs can appeal a red card in an effort to have it removed retroactively. ESPN's Mark Ogden reported that isn't an option for the United States.

As a result, Balogun will have to watch the USMNT play Belgium in the round of 16 from afar. The two countries face off next Monday in what's a rematch from the 2014 World Cup.