Team USA defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 on Wednesday to advance to the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Despite the seemingly easy way Team USA advanced, at one point in the second half, it looked like the Americans’ dream of advancing could shatter when Folarin Balogun was sent off with a red card in the 64th minute.
He inadvertently stepped on the ankle of the Bosnian player Tarik Muharemovic, which, according to soccer rules, is considered a reckless and dangerous challenge, regardless of the intention or lack of it, and is thus punished with a direct expulsion.
In soccer, a red card also includes a sanction that prevents the player from participating in the following game. This is something the commentators didn’t mention, and that, according to NFL star JJ Watt, they should’ve, considering the general lack of knowledge of the sport among the American public.
“Announcers should definitely be informing the audience that Balogun will miss next match, assuming we win tonight. Massive, massive implications there. Huge loss,” said Watt.
Fans immediately backed up Watt’s opinion and expressed their dislike of the referee’s decision to expel Balogun.
“That is never a red. This ref is unserious,” wrote one person.
“Real. I didn’t realize till I checked social media. Like how do you not mention that as commentators??” asked someone.
“gotta appeal and hope it gets downgraded to a yellow,” demanded another person.
“Unless they successfully appeal the one-game suspension to fifa. Pulling a red card for this was clear error however, so hopefully the suspension is overturned,” explained another fan.
Some joked that the U.S. should flex its muscles.
“Send seal team 6 to capture infantino and install a new president that will repeal the red card,” joked another individual.
Others thought this was one of the reasons why the sport isn’t as popular in the U.S.
“This might be why soccer doesn’t have a chance in America,” said another fan.
Others thought this was just basic American ignorance about the rules of soccer.
“The audience should know BASIC RULES of the sport first,” said someone.
Team USA vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina: Recap
Team USA seemed to be the more positive team throughout the afternoon at Levi’s Stadium, but in reality, it was Bosnia and Herzegovina that led the statistics of the game. Bosnia and Herzegovina recorded 11 shots to the USA’s nine, with four shots on target to the Americans’ two. Despite this, the Americans were far more effective, with their only two shots on target becoming goals.
The possession of the ball was highly disputed, with Bosnia and Herzegovina leading with 52%. The first goal of the Americans came from a run into the box by Folarin Balogun, who received a through ball from winger Christian Pulisic, tapping the ball between the legs of goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj. The second goal came via a free kick by Malik Tillman in the 82nd minute, with the shot being unsuccessfully parried by Vasilij before hitting the net.
Team USA had two goals disallowed due to offside, including one by Pulisic.
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