SEATTLE — After a dream start to the World Cup they are co-hosting, the United States are one win away from their first quarterfinal appearance since 2002.
They’ll have the added benefit of being able to play star forward Folarin Balogun on Monday in the round of 16 against Belgium after FIFA made the unexpected move of overturning his automatic red-card suspension Sunday.
After Belgium’s football federation released a lengthy statement decrying FIFA’s decision, which concluded with a promise to investigate “all potential options,” national team coach Rudi Garcia said at a press conference that the integrity of the game was top of mind.
“I didn’t know that at the FIFA World Cup, the fifth of July is now first April and that it’s April Fool’s Day. It is news to me,” Garcia said via a translation.
“I am a head coach, I will focus on my team on tomorrow’s game regardless of the 11 starting players from the U.S. I will focus on my team, the pitch tomorrow and for us to get the victory so we can reach the quarterfinals.”
Both Garcia and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said nothing changes in Belgium’s gameplan in reaction to the Balogun decision.
“Of course, it was the day prior to the game so that was a bit of a surprise,” Courtois said via a translation. “Had it been done earlier we would have been able to be more mentally prepared, perhaps.
“They have 11 players too. There’s not only Balogun. We just have to play on the pitch, be on the pitch and do what we do, play football and try and win this game.”
Balogun scored the first goal of the Americans’ 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32, but he was sent off in the 64th minute after a VAR review led to his red card, the protocols for which were misapplied. A team cannot appeal a red card to FIFA, but on Sunday the governing body cited article 27 of its disciplinary code, which says “the judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.”
Balogun is now considered on probation for one year. The suspension of discipline would be revoked if he “commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity.”
The USMNT was preparing to face Belgium without its leading goal-scorer of the tournament (three). Balogun, before Sunday’s decision, said it was important to him to react calmly in the moment he was sent off.
“I’m happy with the support, not just that I’m receiving, but the team,” Balogun said. “And I think we’re all looking forward to seeing what we can do against Belgium.”
Amid the potential distraction and the joys of playing well at a home World Cup, the Americans must be ready for a top-flight goalkeeper in Courtois and a balanced Belgium attack. Romelu Lukaku, Youri Tielemans and Leandro Trossard have two goals apiece to pace the team, while five different players have contributed one assist.
After pushing through the group stage in underwhelming fashion (two draws, then a win over New Zealand), Belgium fell behind 2-0 to Senegal, one of Africa’s best teams. But Lukaku and Tielemans broke through Senegal’s defense in the 86th and 89th minutes to force extra time, Tielemans drew a penalty at the 120+5 mark and he completed the improbable comeback by converting from the spot.
Belgium understand that, with or without Balogun, the U.S. will be a dangerous opponent.
“We always prepare for all the possible strikers,” Courtois said. “I think (Balogun) is a very fast striker. Obviously a different profile than maybe (Ricardo) Pepi, but I think they are all good strikers. Also with (Sergino) Dest playing on the right wing, (Christian) Pulisic can play there. A lot of quality up front. They arrive well in the box. They create a lot of 1-v-1’s with the goalkeeper.”
They’ll also be up against a partisan crowd in a soccer-crazed part of the country, at a stadium that seats roughly 67,000.
“We’re very fortunate to have such amazing support as we’ve had. Specifically Seattle has been unbelievable in hosting us,” midfielder Tyler Adams said at training this weekend. “So it’s exciting to come back to a place that feels familiar, that obviously we had the win over Australia, to know that we can expect that same energy again in the biggest moment in our careers is really special.”
