As the United States continues its quest for a first World Cup title on home soil, the question posed by coach Mauricio Pochettino back in March—"Why not us?"—has become a rallying cry for the team. With the tournament now three weeks in and four matches played, the answer remains elusive.

Balogun's Impact and Consequences

The U.S. secured a well-deserved victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, setting up a clash with Belgium on Monday evening. However, the win came at a significant cost. Folarin Balogun, the 24-year-old forward who previously played for Arsenal, scored the opening goal just before halftime, marking his third goal of the tournament. Despite his impressive performance, which included near misses for a hat-trick, Balogun's night ended abruptly after receiving a straight red card.

The incident occurred during a challenge for a high ball with Bosnia's Tarik Muharemovic. As Balogun attempted to shield the ball, his foot inadvertently landed on Muharemovic's ankle, resulting in a serious twist. Although the contact appeared accidental, Brazilian referee Raphael Claus reviewed the play using slow-motion replays and subsequently issued the red card.

Historical Context

Balogun's sending-off places him in the record books as only the fourth player to score and be sent off in a knockout stage match, joining the likes of Garrincha, Ronaldinho, and Zinedine Zidane. The immediate consequence of his red card is a one-match suspension, which means he will miss the upcoming game against Belgium. There is a possibility that FIFA could extend the ban, potentially sidelining him for future matches if the U.S. progresses further in the tournament.

In Balogun's absence, Ricardo Pepi is expected to step in, although he has yet to find the back of the net in his 184 minutes of play during this tournament and in the preceding friendlies. His last international goal came during a Nations League match, raising questions about the U.S. offense as they prepare for a critical match against Belgium.