Folarin Balogun is the main focus for the US against Belgium, according to Carli

FIFA's decision to lift Folarin Balogun's red card suspension has changed the narrative ahead of the United States national team's match against Belgium tonight. Carli Lloyd, a former US international, believes that the challenge on Balogun should not have resulted in a red card, but expressed concern about how this decision will affect the way Belgium retains the young player. "Balogun now has a target on his back. If I were a Belgian player, I wouldn't want to give him a chance to score. I wouldn't want to see him try to score," said Seattle's Lloyd. He warned that this withdrawal changes the dynamic from Belgium's perspective and puts the target on the American aggressor. "I don't want to see the United States team perform well. And that's the motivation that the Belgian team now has going into this game, and I think it's a little bit unfair to Balogun, a little bit unfair to the U.S. team, and they had to work hard today." Alexi Lalas also stressed the importance of this decision, noting the impact it will have on both teams. "When we face a player like Flo Balogun, I think both teams can be motivated. Belgium can feel disadvantaged, and they don't have enough time to re-prepare for this match," said Lalas. "But I feel like, whether with or without Balogun, Belgium sees the current US team as a team they can beat."  For the United States, this decision provides a confidence boost considering Balogun's performance this summer. "When it comes to the U.S. team, of course, if you're Balogun, you get a new lease on life, and thankfully, from the U.S. perspective, that's because this guy has put in an incredible performance in this tournament," Lalas added. "And he can appear on a pitch where just 24 hours ago he didn't know if he would play, in fact he didn't think he would play." Clint Dempsey expressed frustration with decision times and the efficiency of the appeals system. "In terms of the appeals process, it should be better, right? It should be faster. Dempsey explained. "I think this is one of the changes that needs to be fixed, because sometimes referees make mistakes, and there should be a quicker appeals process, [so that] you don't have situations like this. Because you want your best players on the pitch." Lloyd agreed that the timing of this decision, regardless of whether the red card was legal or not, could provide additional motivation for a Belgian side that has the talent to go all the way. “Yes, of course, I agree with both of you. "I don't think it's a red card [in my view]," Lloyd said. "However, the timing of all this is very strange. The day before the match, and this is a little worrying for me, because this Belgian team is not doing well in this World Cup. You don't need to give a team extra motivation to beat another team, and that's my concern a little bit. I think the US can handle the pressure. They have dealt with it very well until now. But now there are circumstances surrounding this US team." Lalas concluded that despite this controversy, American fans are focused on the opportunity to see the squad at full strength. “If you're a US fan, you want Balogun to go out and score a lot of goals, and he's going to get a chance, and that's what I think will be the main focus in this game, which is this version of the US team that includes Balogun is given the opportunity to face Belgium tonight. --- ## Related Articles 1. [Mundial 2026](https://oranjenet.live/nl/news/tactische-analyse-vs-krijgt-belangrijke-impulsen-door-inzetbaarheid-balogun-tegen-belgie) 2. [USA gegen Belgien: Geschichten, voraussichtliche Aufstellung,](https://mannschaftgoal.com/de/news/usa-gegen-belgien-geschichten-voraussichtliche-aufstellung)

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