Balogun Backs Yellow Over Red After World Cup Ejection Against Bosnia

SEATTLE (AP): United States forward Folarin Balogun said yesterday that, while he respects the referee's decision, he does not believe a red card was the right call for the incident that ended his night in the Americans' 2-0 World Cup victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Balogun was dismissed on Wednesday after stepping on the right ankle of Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic.

Speaking ahead of training at Husky Soccer Stadium, the striker argued that a caution would have matched 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 dismissal triggers an automatic one-match ban, ruling Balogun out of Monday's Round of 16 fixture against Belgium. FIFA offers no appeal route for a standard red-card suspension unless the governing body imposes a penalty longer than one game, which did not happen here. Should the United States progress, he would be available again for the quarter-finals.

Balogun has scored three times at this tournament, including the opener that put the US ahead against Bosnia. That tally puts him level with Landon Donovan's six-goal haul in 2010 for the second-highest scoring mark by an American at a World Cup, trailing only Bert Patenaude's four goals at the inaugural tournament in 1930.

The 25-year-old marked his goal against Bosnia with the "Silencer" celebration popularised by NBA scoring record-holder LeBron James, who also acknowledged the gesture 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 yet to confirm who will start in Balogun's place. Ricardo Pepi and Haji Wright appear the leading options.

When Christian Pulisic missed the 2-0 group-stage win over Australia because of a calf injury, Pepi took his spot in the starting line-up.