Balogun stands by red-card dissent and prepares to sit out US World Cup clash with Belgium

SEATTLE (AP): United States forward Folarin Balogun said yesterday that he respectfully disputes the red card he received during the Americans' 2-0 World Cup victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Balogun was dismissed on Wednesday after stepping on the right ankle of Tarik Muharemovic. Addressing the media before training at Husky Soccer Stadium, he argued that a caution would have better reflected the nature of the challenge.

"There's nowhere else to put your leg. It's going to be unavoidable," Balogun said. "So, I've seen many different opinions and takes. But, for me personally, I think a yellow card would have been fair. It's something that's happened, so we have to move forward and I have to accept it."

The sending-off carries an automatic one-game suspension, meaning Balogun will not feature in Monday's Round of 16 encounter with Belgium. Players cannot appeal a single-match red-card ban unless FIFA imposes a longer punishment, which has not happened here. If the United States advance, he would be available again from the quarter-finals.

Balogun has scored three times at this tournament, including the strike that put the US in front against Bosnia. That haul equals Landon Donovan's total from 2010 as the second-highest by an American at a World Cup, trailing only Bert Patenaude's four goals at the first tournament in 1930.

The 25-year-old forward marked his goal against Bosnia with the "Silencer" celebration made famous by NBA career scoring leader LeBron James, who later reacted to the gesture on social media. Balogun is also the first US player to score twice in a single World Cup match since 1930, a stretch he described as an emotional whirlwind.

"Been upset, I've been happy. It's been surreal, to be honest," Balogun said. "But for me, I think it was just important to stay calm. I never want to react out of anger and out of emotion. There's still lots of people who are inspiring little kids, boys and girls who are watching. We have to show them the correct way to handle things, even when you think it's unjust."

It remains uncertain who head coach Mauricio Pochettino will pick to replace Balogun in the starting lineup. Ricardo Pepi and Haji Wright are considered the strongest options. When Christian Pulisic missed the 2-0 group-stage win over Australia with a calf injury, Pepi took his place in the starting eleven.