Troy Renck: USMNT can stick it to FIFA refs with win over Belgium, freeing Folarin Balogun

DENVER - Red card, red faces.

The World Cup should be embarrassed by the suspension of United States Men's National Team forward Folarin Balogun for serious foul play (SFP). It was TBS (Total Bull(sheet).

When a Bosnia-Herzegovina player reacted to the decision by hugging Balogun apologetically on the pitch, it tells you how awful the call was.

Here is what irks.

After Balogun stepped on Tarik Muharemović's ankle as they were playing the ball, it was not deemed worthy of a card by referee Raphael Claus. Then the video assistant referee Juan Ernesto Soto Arévalo gave Bosnia a Christmas gift.

Using slow-motion replays, which is not the correct application of protocols because it was not a tackle situation, Arevalo determined the play was dangerous, and Balogun received a red card. It is the equivalent of an NBA player getting tangled up on a rebound, and a no-whistle turning into an ejection.

It makes no sense. No person can objectively watch the contact and see intent.

Worse, Lionel Messi, the Argentinian soccer god, stepped on the back of an Algerian player's calf on Tuesday and received nothing. Zilch. Whether it was clumsy or not, it looked more purposeful than any action by Balogun.

"For me, never is it a red card," USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino said.

There is no way around it. The U.S. could use Balogun against the veteran-laden Belgium team on Monday in Seattle. Balogun has established himself as one of the best forwards in American history, capable of well-timed rocket bursts to create space and unafraid of physicality.

But playing without him for 30 minutes, the U.S. showed how it can beat Belgium.

The Americans won their first knockout game in 24 years because they won ugly. They can reach the finish line in different ways now, a stark contrast to previous decades of underwhelming teams and performances on the biggest stage.

Ricardo Pepi figures to start in place of Balogun. He played for the injured Christian Pulisic in a 2-0 win over Australia in the group stage. So, he is not wandering into the spotlight with dilated pupils.

Everything about the call against Balogun stunk. But this U.S. team should not sink. The Americans made it to the Sweet 16, the bare minimum requirement for a group with this talent. It is time to show the grit that surfaced at the end of the last victory for 90 minutes.

There was no playing the victim. The anger became motivation. It must be channeled again.

Two weeks ago, those outside of the soccer world did not know who Balogun was - admittedly, I barely did as I was researching for potential future columns. Now, every fan is furious and concerned about how the Americans will manage without him.

The best answer to a ridiculous VAR? Go BTA (Belt to bleep) against Belgium, freeing Balogun to play in the next game.

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This story was originally published July 4, 2026 at 5:43 AM.