Balogun argues yellow card was enough after World Cup red card ruling

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

Officials dismissed Balogun on Wednesday after he stepped on the right ankle of Bosnia's Tarik Muharemovic. Speaking ahead of training at Husky Soccer Stadium, he argued that a caution for the challenge would have been the more appropriate sanction.

"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 dismissal triggers an automatic one-match ban, ruling Balogun out of Monday's Round of 16 fixture against Belgium. Red-card suspensions cannot be appealed unless FIFA imposes a penalty longer than a single game, which did not happen in his case. He could return for the quarter-finals if the United States progress.

Balogun has scored three times at the tournament, including the opener that put the US ahead against Bosnia. That tally equals Landon Donovan's six-goal haul in 2010 for the second-highest World Cup goal count by an American, trailing only Bert Patenaude's four strikes at the inaugural tournament in 1930.

The 25-year-old forward marked his goal against Bosnia with the "Silencer" gesture popularised by NBA scoring record-holder LeBron James, who also acknowledged the celebration on social media. Balogun, the first US player to net twice in a single World Cup match since 1930, described his recent stretch 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."

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino has not yet confirmed who will start in Balogun's place. Ricardo Pepi and Haji Wright appear the leading options. Pepi filled in when Christian Pulisic missed the 2-0 group-stage win over Australia because of a calf injury.