USMNT striker signed with LeBron James' agency after tournament run ended in Belgium loss. Balogun said the suspension overturn controversy affected team morale.
2:44 PM
United States forward Folarin Balogun has signed with Klutch Sports, the high-profile agency founded by LeBron James' longtime associate Rich Paul, following a World Cup campaign marked by controversy and an early elimination.
Balogun was a central figure in the USMNT's tournament run, scoring three goals overall and shining in the team's victory over Paraguay. However, his World Cup ended in controversy when he received a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32 after a strong tackle on defender Tarik Muharemovic. Brazilian referee Raphael Claus issued the card, which would have suspended Balogun for the round-of-16 match against Belgium.
Less than 24 hours before the Belgium game, FIFA suspended Balogun's punishment, allowing him to play. The decision came after U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed he had spoken with FIFA President Gianni Infantino about the case. The United States lost to Belgium 4-1 in that round-of-16 match.
In an interview with CBS Mornings on Tuesday, Balogun acknowledged the controversy surrounding the suspension overturn affected the team's preparation and morale. "My initial reaction was I was happy to be back in the team, but when I kind of started to reflect, I knew it was going to cause a lot of controversy," he said.
Balogun described observing tension among his teammates as the match approached. "I could almost see within my teammates a bit of nerves because it is something that is so unique," he told the program. "The closer we got to the game, I tried to just focus as best as I could, but it was difficult. There was a lot of noise from outside, and it is hard to ignore."
The 25-year-old striker said he was in shock when he received the red card and disagreed with the decision. "When something is not intentional, it should never be a red card," Balogun said. "So it was just an unfortunate situation."
Balogun's move to Klutch Sports represents a significant representation deal for the forward, who has emerged as a prominent figure in U.S. soccer following his World Cup performances.
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