The Official US Soccer thread

[Lorenzo]

I would be mad if I were Belgium. They should have done it straight away to give both teams time to prepare. The way fifa operates just constantly puts a dark cloud over everything.

 

[Crimson Warrior]

I would be mad if I were Belgium. They should have done it straight away to give both teams time to prepare. The way fifa operates just constantly puts a dark cloud over everything.

Which is truly sad, because they administer one of the purer sports endeavors of humankind. Kind of like the Olympics.

 

[Adrian]

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The Athletic | Football
@TheAthleticFC
·
5h
Belgium has been granted the right to appeal against FIFA’s decision to suspend the one-game ban handed to Folarin Balogun, less than 24 hours out from the team’s round of 16 game against the United States.

Sources have now told The Athletic the Belgian federation has formally written to FIFA to appeal the matter, and the right to appeal has been granted.

Both U.S. Soccer and the Belgian federation were asked to make submissions by 5am PST on Monday morning, which has exasperated the Belgians who have not received the decision by FIFA to review, as it is not made public.

A member of the FIFA appeals committee – who does not represent a federation in either UEFA or CONCACAF, so as to avoid any potential conflict of interest – has been selected to hear the case.

 

[ajcardfan]

I actually wish he hadn't been reinstated. We were prepping to play without him and now we have this huge distraction the day of the match. IMO, this helps Belgium, even if he plays.

I hope he gets 2 goals and proves me wrong.

 

[Lorenzo]

I actually wish he hadn't been reinstated. We were prepping to play without him and now we have this huge distraction the day of the match. IMO, this helps Belgium, even if he plays.

I hope he gets 2 goals and proves me wrong.

I think for Belgium the way they are reacting to the situation also has an impact on their team, at least from the management side. It is also telling that they actually fear this US team. if they did not fear the USA, they most likely wouldn't say much at all about it or would be laughing it off.

Belgium need to calm their players and de-escalate before the game so that they are focused. that said, I understand why they are upset because FIFA screwed this up. I think the players will most likely stay professional and remain focused, regardless of what happens. this is the world cup; you don't have to motivate these guys too much to get them to play their best. I think the USA will be fine either way. If you understand this game and the way that the USA play, they rely heavily on their defense and midfield keep the ball and create attacking options. Yes, Balo is a great scorer and would be missed, but he would not score without the plethora of guys behind him getting him the ball in dangerous situations. they have plenty of others who can score goals, they just have to step up and get it done. Pepi nor H. Wright have not had much time at all with the first team as the lone striker, so you can't really judge anything to this point. They will have chances to score, and will likely score, if they play for Balo. They could also use Berhalter in the midfield and push some other attacking midfielders forward. Pulisic, Reyna, Weah (on the right), Dest, Mckennie, and Tillman can all play attacking midfield and interchange all over the pitch. It can become positionless. it's actually difficult to defend tactically when teams do it well.

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

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[Adrian]

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[Crimson Warrior]

I actually wish he hadn't been reinstated. We were prepping to play without him and now we have this huge distraction the day of the match. IMO, this helps Belgium, even if he plays.

I hope he gets 2 goals and proves me wrong.

How about a hat trick?

Oh man, that would really stir the pot!

 

[Crimson Warrior]

I think for Belgium the way they are reacting to the situation also has an impact on their team, at least from the management side. It is also telling that they actually fear this US team. if they did not fear the USA, they most likely wouldn't say much at all about it or would be laughing it off.

Belgium need to calm their players and de-escalate before the game so that they are focused. that said, I understand why they are upset because FIFA screwed this up. I think the players will most likely stay professional and remain focused, regardless of what happens. this is the world cup; you don't have to motivate these guys too much to get them to play their best. I think the USA will be fine either way. If you understand this game and the way that the USA play, they rely heavily on their defense and midfield keep the ball and create attacking options. Yes, Balo is a great scorer and would be missed, but he would not score without the plethora of guys behind him getting him the ball in dangerous situations. they have plenty of others who can score goals, they just have to step up and get it done. Pepi nor H. Wright have not had much time at all with the first team as the lone striker, so you can't really judge anything to this point. They will have chances to score, and will likely score, if they play for Balo. They could also use Berhalter in the midfield and push some other attacking midfielders forward. Pulisic, Reyna, Weah (on the right), Dest, Mckennie, and Tillman can all play attacking midfield and interchange all over the pitch. It can become positionless. it's actually difficult to defend tactically when teams do it well.

Yeah I’m pretty surprised by BEL’s reaction.

It’s fear, clearly. Maybe not panic, but it’s a terrible look for them and there’s no universe where this approach by their leaders inspires confidence in their players.

Good. We punch them in the face early, they will probably fold up.

 

[cardpa]

The appeal does cause a dilemma for Pochettino. Now he needs to plan for both Balogun being available and the possibility of him not playing. I think it was a smart move on Belgium's part to appeal.

 

[ajcardfan]

Yeah I’m pretty surprised by BEL’s reaction.

It’s fear, clearly. Maybe not panic, but it’s a terrible look for them and there’s no universe where this approach by their leaders inspires confidence in their players.

Good. We punch them in the face early, they will probably fold up.

Nah, they are just being competitive. This will force the US to have two gameplans. And if you can take your opponents most dangerous player out of the game before it begins you would be STUPID to not do so.

 

[SECTION 11]

Benching Balogun and winning anyway would be the best outcome IMO.
This is greasy all around.

 

[ajcardfan]

Benching Balogun and winning anyway would be the best outcome IMO.
This is greasy all around.

Yep. I really wish he hadn't been reinstated. Now Trump is in the middle of all this and he's a frigging jinx. See Knicks game 3.

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

today is going to take forever

 

[Lorenzo]

Nah, they are just being competitive. This will force the US to have two gameplans. And if you can take your opponents most dangerous player out of the game before it begins you would be STUPID to not do so.

The USA would have already been planning for this game with 2 gameplans. I think it's Belgium now that must have 2 gameplans in case their appeal gets denied. and that's why they are upset. Honestly Belgium and the USA players both probably will be unnerved either way. Belgium should know more about the USA's tactics with Balo out there as opposed to what Pochettino will do if he's not there. but I'm sure they prefer to have USA's top scorer out of the lineup if given the choice because that puts more pressure on other players to fill that void. Balo did nothing wrong to Belgium at the end of the day, so for their management to make a big stink of it I think does show fear and it could motivate Balogun to play harder if he does play. I don't think the players fear the USA.

 

[Crimson Warrior]

Nah, they are just being competitive. This will force the US to have two gameplans. And if you can take your opponents most dangerous player out of the game before it begins you would be STUPID to not do so.

Well they are wusssies anyway because the red card was straight ******** ajcardfan.

This is the right, fair and just result, but they are still pouting like a petulant child.

It’s weak on their part despite your assertion to the contrary.

How would you feel if the shoe was on the other foot and we were trying to disqualify a guy who should legit be on the field? Would you feel Like a *****? I hope so because that is weak sauce my friend.

 

[ajcardfan]

Well they are wusssies anyway because the red card was straight ******** ajcardfan.

This is the right, fair and just result, but they are still pouting like a petulant child.

It’s weak on their part despite your assertion to the contrary.

How would you feel if the shoe was on the other foot and we were trying to disqualify a guy who should legit be on the field? Would you feel Like a *****? I hope so because that is weak sauce my friend.

No you use the rules, that goes both ways with appeals. If Belgium didn't appeal, then they are not trying hard enough. Let's say Balogun scores the winning goal in the 90th minute. Would you want to stand in front of your team and say, "well, we maybe could have gotten him resuspended but we didn't try because...". Sorry your dreams and the dreams of our fans were crushed due to negligence in using our due process."

Kind of surprised to see a Sooners fan get all high and mighty about fair play. Especially one who loved the Switzer teams. In the old SWC, it you were not cheating you were not trying. Or you were Rice or TCU.

Anyhow, the appeal will fail and Balogun will play. And we will lose, because Trump is a jinx.

 

[Adrian]

Tom Bogert
@tombogert
·
30m
Belgium's appeal to FIFA has been rendered "inadmissible" regarding Flo Balogun.

Balogun still eligible to play tonight, per FIFA.

USMNT vs. Belgium kicks off in just over seven hours. Lineups will be out in about six hours.

 

[Adrian]

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Polymarket
@Polymarket
·
29m
BREAKING: FIFA officially rejects Belgium’s appeal against the suspension of Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban — The Athletic

 

[Rivercard]

today is going to take forever

Amen, those are six words of truth! And very frequently relevant in this day and age.

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

the balogun suspension sucked but trump should've stayed out if it - why would he tho when fifa surrendered complete control

they didn't just kiss the ring they gave him a peace prize - all in the hopes trump would let them be - and he did until balogun

in the end i think fifa didn't want trump to ruin the world cup for everyone - and i think they understand how trump would welcome the distraction - from numerous other topics

if we do advance with balogun it will be tainted internationally - even if he doesn't score - whole thing sucks

 

[Crimson Warrior]

No you use the rules, that goes both ways with appeals. If Belgium didn't appeal, then they are not trying hard enough. Let's say Balogun scores the winning goal in the 90th minute. Would you want to stand in front of your team and say, "well, we maybe could have gotten him resuspended but we didn't try because...". Sorry your dreams and the dreams of our fans were crushed due to negligence in using our due process."

Kind of surprised to see a Sooners fan get all high and mighty about fair play. Especially one who loved the Switzer teams. In the old SWC, it you were not cheating you were not trying. Or you were Rice or TCU.

Anyhow, the appeal will fail and Balogun will play. And we will lose, because Trump is a jinx.

I always want to beat the other guy when he’s at his best. I don’t want any asterisks by my victories especially as one as dubious as that red card ajcardfan.

And for the record I’m ashamed of all the immoral behavior of my Alma mater. I would trade in one second all of the victories earned by the **** heads we’ve put on the field over the years. Especially the ones guilty for violence against women. Recruiting violations? That’s a little different but I digress.

Anyway I don’t believe in jinxes ajcardfan. I think you make your own luck in life and at least we’ll see both sides at full strength tonight.

 

[ajcardfan]

the balogun suspension sucked but trump should've stayed out if it - why would he tho when fifa surrendered complete control

they didn't just kiss the ring they gave him a peace prize - all in the hopes trump would let them be - and he did until balogun

in the end i think fifa didn't want trump to ruin the world cup for everyone - and i think they understand how trump would welcome the distraction - from numerous other topics

if we do advance with balogun it will be tainted internationally - even if he doesn't score - whole thing sucks

Yep, it is a big turd in the punch bowl.

I now think we lose today because Trump is toxic and a jinx.

if we win, we are absolutely the villains the rest of the world will hate and cheer against in every game we play.

 

[ajcardfan]

I always want to beat the other guy when he’s at his best. I don’t want any asterisks by my victories especially as one as dubious as that red card ajcardfan.

And for the record I’m ashamed of all the immoral behavior of my Alma mater. I would trade in one second all of the victories earned by the **** heads we’ve put on the field over the years. Especially the ones guilty for violence against women. Recruiting violations? That’s a little different but I digress.

Anyway I don’t believe in jinxes ajcardfan. I think you make your own luck in life and at least we’ll see both sides at full strength tonight.

Ok, it was a bad call. I would correlate it with that Suns-Spurs thing back in the day. Bad calls suck, but they are part of sports.

You claim you are valuing the rules but no red card suspension has EVER been overturned and we heard for a day and a half it wasn't possible. Then, a political figure directly inserts himself into the situation and puts pressure on to get it overturned. How is that RIGHT? It isn't and it is worse than the bad call IMO. Ok, he is POTUS but his behavior is at the same level of Mafia or Cartel leader encouraging "the right thing" to happen.


It's not cool. At all.

 

[Lorenzo]

Ok, it was a bad call. I would correlate it with that Suns-Spurs thing back in the day. Bad calls suck, but they are part of sports.

You claim you are valuing the rules but no red card suspension has EVER been overturned and we heard for a day and a half it wasn't possible. Then, a political figure directly inserts himself into the situation and puts pressure on to get it overturned. How is that RIGHT? It isn't and it is worse than the bad call IMO. Ok, he is POTUS but his behavior is at the same level of Mafia or Cartel leader encouraging "the right thing" to happen.


It's not cool. At all.

I think that's my problem with it now. When the news first came down I was kind of ok with it because I thought that FIFA on their own rescinded the red card, which is unprecedented, so it still pisses a lot of people off. In the history of World Cup Football there have been many horrible decisions that have not been overturned, so that is why it pisses off a lot of people. there's also no guidance for how it will be levied in the future when a similar situation arises.

controversial referee decisions have impacted every world cup. the USA's best world cup run in 02, we got screwed out of what should of been a handball that prevented a goal. player should have been sent off and penalty awarded. that said, I've never seen this happen before. and the political side of it makes it dirty. this is what I was afraid of happening in this world cup. Up until this point it was incredible.