Why Folarin Balogun is a headache for Belgium as USMNT seeks first World Cup quarterfinal since 2002

SEATTLE — A day ago, the United States appeared to be staring at the biggest match in modern history without its most dangerous striker.Then FIFA’s stunning decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s red-card ban landed like a lightning strike across the soccer world, instantly transforming the mood inside the American camp and reshaping the tactical landscape ahead of Monday night’s Round of 16 showdown with Belgium.USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino tried to downplay the impact the news had on his players Sunday afternoon.“For us it was a normal thing,” Pochettino said when asked how training was after the team heard the news.

“Our power is in the 26 players.Tomorrow, maybe I will decide to put Balogun on the bench.

Who knows? It’s about the team.”But the players couldn’t hide their excitement.“Lit” was the word used by defender Chris Richards to describe the atmosphere on the team bus when they found out Balogun would be available.“Knowing that we’re going to have him around tomorrow helps so much and gives us a big boost,” admitted Christian Pulisic.The Americans, slight underdogs before the ruling, suddenly became favorites to advanceat roughly -126, while Belgium drifted toward even money.Those numbers reflect more than Balogun’s goal-scoring ability.

They reflect gravity.The U.S.has beaten Belgium just once in six meetings, and the ghosts of the heartbreaking 2014 World Cup defeat will inevitably resurface.

Yet this American team bears almost no resemblance to that one.Belgium still carries several veterans from that victory.

The U.S.carries something different: the confidence and technical quality to meet Belgium on equal footing instead of merely surviving.And the blueprint to beat Belgium already exists, albeit one that will need to be tweaked to stop a team that almost mirrors them offensively.In victories over Paraguay, Australia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, Pochettino’s squad controlled tempo from the opening whistle.

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