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I don’t even know what the hell a red card is.
"I don't even know what the red card is all about."
A few days ago, the person who said this called FIFA President Gianni Infantino, demanding a review of the red card issued to American striker Folarin Balogun in the Round of 32. The caller was U.S. President Donald Trump.
He publicly admitted this before the match on July 6 and couldn't help but add a dig: "The referee made a call no one could believe... He's our best player. I saw the move, and it wasn't even a foul, let alone an offense."
A U.S. president who doesn't understand soccer rules made a call on behalf of a striker who stomped on an opponent's ankle.
In the match between the U.S. and Bosnia, Balogun stepped squarely on the ankle of center-back Muharemovic. The referee, Raphael Claus, initially didn't even intend to blow his whistle. VAR intervened, and he went to the sideline to review the monitor before pulling out the red card.
Then came the ruling. FIFA's Disciplinary Committee's statement was subtle: a one-match ban, suspended for one year. In plain English, that means he can play tonight, and if he stays out of trouble for a year, the red card is void. In a single-elimination tournament, that's essentially getting off scot-free.
The committee didn't offer a single explanation, just coldly cited the rules. The U.S. Soccer Federation had earlier argued there were procedural issues with the call, claiming slow-motion replays shouldn't have been used. But as soon as Trump's call ended, the suspension decision came out. The timeline speaks for itself.
Upon hearing the news, Belgium coach Rudi Garcia quipped:
"So today is FIFA's April Fools' Day."
The U.S. team has played rough this tournament. They thrashed Paraguay 4-1 in the group stage opener, dispatched Bosnia in the Round of 32 with two swift strikes—Balogun scored before being sent off, and Tillman added a free-kick insurance goal. They've scored six goals in two matches, with Balogun, Tillman, and Reyna all getting on the scoresheet, spreading their firepower like a handful of tacks, making it impossible for opponents to focus on just one player.
Captain Pulisic was asked by a reporter if this was the strongest U.S. team he's ever played for. He didn't dodge:
"I think you could say that. We're a very special team, it feels like a family."
Coach Pochettino was pressed about Trump's involvement before the match. He threw up his hands, claiming ignorance: "This is FIFA's decision based on the evidence."
But he had already revealed his true stance earlier. Before the World Cup kicked off, Pochettino set the bar high in the locker room: "For me, success is winning. Win tomorrow, then win the next one. If we don't make the final and win the title, it's not success."
Even the semifinals aren't enough. He added a jab: "Belgium and Portugal have several top-100 players in the world. I don't think we do."
Pulisic ranks among the top 100 on most lists, but Pochettino clearly isn't letting anyone coast on reputation.
No top-100 players, but aiming for the championship.
Now, turn to Belgium. In the Round of 32 against Senegal, they couldn't settle the match in 90 minutes, dragging it into extra time for a 3-2 nail-biter win. A team carrying the "Golden Generation" label was dragged into the mud by an African opponent, emerging drenched in sweat.
Their group stage results are clear: a 1-1 draw with Egypt, a 0-0 stalemate with Iran, and a 5-1 thrashing of New Zealand in the final match. They scored six and conceded two in three games, edging out Egypt on goal difference for the top spot. Egypt and Iran gave them no easy ride, and in the knockout stage, Senegal scored twice and forced them into extra time. They're ruthless against weaker teams but struggle against tougher opponents—that's Belgium's current reality.
After the match, De Bruyne commented:
"When I was young, I just wanted to play and didn't care about anything off the pitch, but now I think I can have a different perspective."
This is his fourth World Cup.
"I've done everything I can to stay fit, and it feels that way."
He also took a jab at the stadiums: "Canada's stadiums feel like real soccer fields. The two big U.S. stadiums are all NFL vibes."
A veteran playing in his fourth World Cup, discussing turf feel after a tense knockout win.
The two teams played a friendly this spring, and the U.S. lost.
After the match, Pulisic gritted his teeth and said: "Things are gonna change."
Tonight, at Lumen Field in Seattle, it's a single-elimination Round of 16 match. The winner advances to face Portugal or Spain. Whether Pulisic's "change" comes true depends on whether Belgium's defense, which was breached twice by Senegal, can hold up.