The U.S. Men’s National Team will be without star striker Folarin Balogun’s services for the Round of 16 tie with Belgium.Balogun was sent off in the 64th minute of Wednesday’s 2-0 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina after dragging his cleat down Tarik Muharemovic’s leg and onto his foot. It was a late challenge by Balogun and arguably a yellow card offense, but the play looked more dangerous as video footage was slowed down. Referee Raphael Claus went with VAR’s decision to send Balogun off, reducing the USMNT to 10-men for the remainder of the match. Fortunately for the USMNT, they were able to add a second goal through Malik Tillman to punch their ticket into the Round of 16, but now will be without Balogun who will have to serve a one-match ban.USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino showed his support for Balogun, admitting that the play was not a red card offense. “For me, never is it a red card,” Pochettino said postmatch in a press conference. “Never was there intention to step on the player.” He added: “If the intention is to damage the opponent, OK, I understand. But that was a normal action in football that you are, you know, fighting for the ball and your feet land, no?”The ejection has been compared to other incidents at the World Cup this summer, most notably Lionel Messi’s challenge on Algeria defender Aïssa Mandi. Messi was not carded in the first half of a 3-0 group stage victory after catching Mandi with a cleat to his right calf and Achilles, a challenge that many have since compared to Balogun’s from Wednesday night. Algeria filed a complaint to FIFA regarding the refereeing in that match, but Messi was not disciplined after the fact. Now with the USMNT set to be without Balogun and unable to appeal the red card decision per FIFA regulations, it’s safe to say that many are disappointed to be without his services for Monday’s Round of 16 matchup.“I think there’s been many other plays like that throughout the tournament on other players that a card wasn’t given at all,” USMNT midfielder Weston McKennie told reporters about the incident. “So it’s disappointing and I don’t know the protocol of how they come to the conclusion, but yeah, from what my teammates have said, I don’t think it’s a red card.”Ricardo Pepi looks to be the likely replacement option for Balogun in the starting lineup against the Belgians, while Haji Wright is also available if needed. Pepi started alongside Balogun in the 2-0 group stage victory over Australia while also getting the nod against Turkey in a 3-2 defeat. Wright has played just one minute for the USMNT since the conclusion of his club season with Coventry City back on May 2.