Folarin Balogun’s Red Card Overturned Just in Time for USMNT vs. Belgium

The USMNT caught a massive break on Monday. Folarin Balogun is back in the starting lineup for their Round of 16 clash against Belgium after the red card he picked up against Bosnia-Herzegovina was reversed. That’s not something you see every day at the World Cup.

The original suspension would have sidelined Balogun for a knockout game. Instead, he’ll lead the line in the same 4-2-3-1 formation that crushed Paraguay 4-1 and edged past Bosnia. Manager Mauricio Pochettino isn’t changing a thing.

The Starting XI That Stays Together

Balogun slots in alone up top. Behind him, Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic, and Sergino Dest will push forward from midfield. Malik Tillman and Tyler Adams handle the middle two. The back four features Chris Richards, Alex Freeman, Tim Ream, and Antonee Robinson. Matt Freese starts in goal.

This is the exact same group that opened against Paraguay and started against Bosnia. Pochettino clearly found a formula he trusts. And with Balogun available, that formula stays intact.

For McKennie and Dest, this start is a milestone. It’s their ninth World Cup appearance, which ties them with Eddie Pope and Tab Ramos for ninth most in USMNT history. Not bad company.

Balogun Chasing History

Balogun already has three goals in this tournament. That ties Landon Donovan’s 2010 total. One more against Belgium and he’ll own the single-tournament record outright — a mark set by Bert Patenaude way back in 1930. Patenaude scored four goals that year. Balogun gets his shot at tying him with a win tonight.

The reversal of his red card felt like a gift. The original call was controversial, and the appeal process moved fast. The USMNT didn’t announce the details, but the result is clear: Balogun plays.

The stakes are simple. Beat Belgium and the USMNT reaches the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002. That’s a 24-year gap. No one in the current squad was alive the last time the US made it this far. Well, maybe not, but you get the point.

Kickoff is Monday night. The lineup is set. Balogun is ready. Now we see if history follows.