Pochettino Blasts Balogun Red Card After 2-0 USMNT Win Sends U.S. to Last 16

Q: How will the USMNT replace Folarin Balogun, who has scored 14 goals in his last 19 matches?

The likeliest replacement is Ricardo Pepi, with Haji Wright the other main option, while Mauricio Pochettino may also spread Balogun’s scoring burden across Christian Pulisic, Timothy Weah and Malik Tillman. Pepi appears the most natural like-for-like deputy. He has grown beyond a late-game role at PSV, made 16 starts for the Dutch champions, and already has 13 goals in 37 U.S. caps. Reporting around the team has consistently framed him as the immediate stand-in when Balogun is unavailable, and his finishing makes him the clearest choice to start against Belgium. Wright is the strongest alternative if Pochettino wants a different profile. He scored 17 goals for Coventry City this season and offers more size and direct running. That could matter against a Belgium side Pochettino views as a title contender. Patrick Agyemang has also been used as a forward option, but Pepi and Wright look more established for a knockout match. The bigger issue is that Balogun is not easily replaceable. He is widely regarded as the U.S. team’s best striker and has 14 goals in his last 19 matches for club and country. His movement, ability to operate in tight spaces and penalty-box finishing are difficult to replicate with one player. That means the U.S. will likely adjust collectively rather than expect one-for-one production. Pulisic and Weah should carry more of the attacking load, while Tillman, who scored against Bosnia, becomes even more important as a secondary goal threat.

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 2

Mauricio Pochettino said Folarin Balogun's 64th-minute dismissal was "never a red card," arguing the striker had no intent when he caught Bosnia's Tarik Muharemovic.
The U.S. still beat Bosnia 2-0, with Balogun scoring first and Malik Tillman sealing qualification with an 82nd-minute free kick that set up a round-of-16 meeting with Belgium.
Balogun's suspension now leaves the hosts without their leading scorer for Monday's knockout game, a potentially major blow after the U.S. played 26 minutes plus 10 of stoppage time with 10 men.
Bosnia generated only 0.25 xG despite the man advantage, while Pochettino and Christian Pulisic both complained that key 50-50 calls and physical challenges repeatedly went against the Americans.
Belgium advanced after rallying from 2-0 down against Senegal, and the U.S. enters the rematch after a 5-2 loss to Belgium in March that Pochettino said his team has since grown beyond.