How Folarin Balogun, after all that, couldn’t save USA vs. Belgium originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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At the time FIFA made its decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban due to a red card, it seemed like a game-changing update for the United States.
It turned out that Balogun couldn’t lift the USMNT on his shoulders in the World Cup Round of 16 against Belgium. Whether the striker was on the field or not, this was going to be the night things ended for the USA at this tournament on home soil.
And while there are those saying Balogun played poorly, that’s unfair.
He drew the foul with stout positioning that led directly to Malik Tillman’s free kick goal.
He ran the channels and put pressure on Belgium’s back line in a way no other U.S. attacker did.
He had the best chance for the United States in the second half, not quite able to beat Thibaut Courtois from a tough angle.
The reality is that, after an odd week for Balogun, this outcome didn’t end up having much to do with him.
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Why Folarin Balogun didn’t matter
Balogun could’ve scored a goal, and what difference would it have really made? The U.S. lost 4-1 and was outclassed throughout.
The midfield was overrun by Belgium, and the defense proved costly.
They broke down on the first goal as a unit. On the second, Tim Ream was simply outdone in the air.
The third? Oof, that was the ugly one when Matt Freese left the goal and messed up, and Ream couldn’t rescue him.
The fourth felt a bit inevitable, Romelu Lukaku on with fresh legs as a substitute adding to his all-time Belgium record total.
What was Balogun supposed to do?
The United States hardly had the ball. That’s not really his fault.
He could’ve trickled back to defend, but once the U.S. was trailing, Balogun had to remain high and push to counter. He did the best he could.
In the end, Balogun’s week will just be a footnote.
On a night the United States could’ve changed soccer in this country, they came up well off the pace, and it didn’t have much to do with Balogun.
