SEATTLE (AP) — United States forward Folarin Balogun says he respectfully disagrees with his red card in the 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in the World Cup.Balogun was sent off Wednesday for stepping on the right ankle of Tarik Muharemovic.Before Friday’s practice at Husky Soccer Stadium in Seattle, Balogun said a yellow card for the illegal tackle would have been fairer.“There’s nowhere else to put your leg. It’s going to be unavoidable,” Balogun said. “So, I’ve seen many different opinions and takes. But, for me personally, I think a yellow card would have been fair. It’s something that’s happened, so we have to move forward and I have to accept it.”Balogun has to serve an automatic one-game suspension and will miss Monday’s round of 16 game against Belgium. There is no appeal process for a red card suspension unless FIFA assesses a penalty of more than one game, which was not the case with Balogun. He will be eligible to return for the quarterfinals should the Americans advance.
Balogun has three goals in the tournament, including one to put the U.S. in the lead against Bosnia. He has matched Landon Donovan in 2010 for the second-most goals by an American in a World Cup, behind only Bert Patenaude’s four in the initial tournament in 1930.
