SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The United States men's national team advanced to the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 with a 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday, overcoming a second-half red card to leading scorer Folarin Balogun in a match that was overshadowed by a contentious VAR decision.
Balogun gave the United States the lead just before halftime with his third goal of the tournament. However, the forward was sent off in the 64th minute after the referee reviewed video footage and ruled that his challenge on Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic constituted serious foul play. The dismissal leaves Balogun suspended for the Americans' next match against Belgium.
Despite playing with 10 men for the final stages of the match, the United States maintained its defensive shape before Malik Tillman sealed the victory with an 82nd-minute free kick, securing the team's first World Cup knockout-stage victory since 2002. The result also marked head coach Mauricio Pochettino's third World Cup win with the United States, the most by a U.S. men's national team coach.
Pochettino strongly disputed the red card after the match, saying Balogun's contact with Muharemovic was accidental and did not warrant a dismissal.
"I think it was never a red card," Pochettino said, arguing that the incident resulted from normal football contact rather than intent to endanger an opponent. Bosnia coach Sergej Barbarez, by contrast, said he believed the referee had made the correct decision after the VAR review.
The dismissal sparked renewed debate over the application of video review at the tournament, with former players and commentators questioning the consistency of disciplinary decisions involving similar challenges. Critics argued that slow-motion replays can exaggerate the appearance of contact, while supporters of the decision noted that the Laws of the Game prioritize player safety regardless of intent.
Balogun's suspension presents a significant challenge for the United States heading into the Round of 16, where the striker had emerged as the team's leading scorer during the tournament. Under FIFA regulations, the one-match suspension resulting from a straight red card is expected to keep him out of the meeting with Belgium.
The United States will next face Belgium in Seattle, seeking to extend its deepest World Cup run in nearly a quarter-century.
