USMNT hopes Balogun's return to boost chances against Belgium in World Cup quarterfinal
F striker Folarin Balogun is cleared to play as the United States faces Belgium in a knockout match, with analysts noting his impact on the team's attacking approach.
The United States men's national team will meet Belgium on Monday night at Seattle's Lumen Field, a match that could send the U.S. to its first World Cup quarter-final in 24 years. Belgium, who defeated the United States 5-2 in a friendly in March and eliminated them in the 2014 round of 16, enter as slight favorites.
Folarin Balogun, who received a suspended red-card ruling from FIFA, is now eligible to play. Analysts say his presence allows head coach Mauricio Pochettino to maintain the side’s high-intensity, attack-focused game plan rather than shifting to a more defensive setup. "Balogun is a key part of the approach, so expect another aggressive, competitive match for the U.S. team," wrote Pardeep Cattry.
Commentators note that without Balogun the United States would rely on alternatives such as Ricardo Pepi, Haji Wright or Christian Pulisic, but they consider Balogun the most effective option in the striker role. "Balogun has been a revelation leading the line for this team," said Chuck Booth.
Defensively, the U.S. will need to contain Belgium’s dynamic winger Jeremy Doku, who scored against them in the March friendly, and limit the influence of playmaker Kevin De Bruyne. "Finding a way to limit him means the margin for error shrinks considerably," Cattry added.
Belgium’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and forward Leandro Trossard are also highlighted as potential game-changing players. The match is projected to be closely contested, with the outcome likely decided by small margins and the ability of either side to execute their game plan.
