USA's Pochettino says 'never a red card' in World Cup on Balogun call

SANTA CLARA, CA ― United States men's national team coach Mauricio Pochettino faced questions about the red card assessed to striker Folarin Balogun during a 2-0 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara on July 1.

Pochettino defended Balogun, who was sent off and will be suspended for USMNT's next match in the round of 16 against Belgium on July 6.

The Americans had to battle with 10 players after Balogun received the red card in the 64th minute after a collision with Bosnia's Tarik Muharemovic, a controversial decision after a VAR review.

"That was a normal action in football," Pochettino told reporters post match. "That happened by accident and it's never intentional."

After the referee's VAR review, Balogun was given a red card and had to leave the match. Pochettino said he thought that it should not have been a red card because his player did not purposefully attempt to go for Muharemovic.

"For me it's about the intention," Pochettino said to USA TODAY Sports after the match. "If the intention is damage to the opponent then okay, I understand, but that never was. It was a normal action in football. You are, you know, fighting for the ball, and your feet land, no?"

A similar play happened involving Lionel Messi when he stepped on an Algeria player's ankle. However, Messi avoided a red card. He wasn't even assessed a yellow. However, Pochettino's only focus was Balogun's incident.

"Maybe it was a little bit tough of a scene to watch, but it never was intentional or anything. For me, that action there, it's never a red card," Pochettino said.

After Balogun left the match and USMNT maintained a 1-0 lead and had to finish with 10 players. They doubled their lead on a free kick at the 82nd minute from Malik Tillman.

After the game, Pochettino praised the team for keeping their composure during the game after losing one of their best players due to the infraction.

"We were talking at the break, we need to show that we are a team, that we are united and that was the moment to show to everyone, to show ourselves that is not only empty words when we say that we are a family, and I think the team showed the qualities, the capacity to compete, to fight for each other," Pochettino told reporters. "I'm so proud, so proud of the players. They are the heroes.. they deserve all the praise."

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