The biggest American men’s soccer victory in a generation came at a high cost. But the price the USA paid at Levi’s Stadium to earn a 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup’s Round of 32 made one thing very clear.
This team is different. Very different.
Leading 1-0 on a first-half goal from Folarin Balogun, a long ball was played into the Bosnian half and the US goal scorer and defender Tarik Muharemovic tussled for the ball. Balogun reached his right leg toward the ball and ended up swiping his cleat down Muharemovic’s calf, eventually landing with a stomp on the defender’s ankle.
There wasn’t any intent to injure in the play; both men were going for the ball and Balogun was not moving like he intended to harm Muharemovic. But when slowed down in instant replay – as it was seen by referee Raphael Claus after video assistant referee flagged the play – it looked awful. The difference between the full-speed initial read – no call at all, not even a foul – and the replays served up by the VAR could not have been starker.
Claus came back from the monitor and ruled Balogun deserved a red card for dangerous play, sending him off the pitch for the remainder of the game.
