The Pulse Newsletter 📣 | This is The Athletic’s daily sports newsletter. Sign up here to receive The Pulse directly in your inbox.Good morning! Red cards, man. Inside:
Bittersweet? A perfect day marred by an iffy callThere was so much to celebrate in USMNT’s 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina last night. The team’s first knockout-round win since 2002. The first time the U.S. has won three matches in a World Cup, ever. In general, the best men’s U.S. soccer has looked in the modern era. And yet today, all we will talk about is a red card. Quick recap before getting existential:
The soccer itself was brilliant. After a slow start, American striker Folarin Balogun found the net in the 45th minute on a breathtaking bit of body control in the box. It’s his third goal in three games played thus far. He’s a force. Malik Tillman added the second goal on a beautiful free kick later in the match.
But, in the 64th minute, Balogun drew a red card for this play:
Was this worthy of a red card? 🟥 pic.twitter.com/WfrIxMRNMD
