SI:AM | Balogun Red Card Looms Large Over Big U.S. Win

DAN GARTLAND 

Good morning, I’m Dan Gartland. If the USMNT game wasn’t so interesting, I would have had space in here to try to make sense of the Jaylen Brown-Paul George trade. (Also, just a quick note that there won’t be an SI:AM tomorrow. Happy Fourth!) 

In today’s SI:AM:

🇺🇸 U.S. moves on to last 16

☘️ Celtics dump Brown in stunner

⚾ Schwarber’s derby decision 

Good news, bad news

Kohjiro Kinno/Sports Illustrated

The U.S. men’s national team has won a World Cup knockout stage match for the first time in 24 years, but it isn’t all good news. 

The U.S. earned a 2–0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32 in Santa Clara, Calif., on Wednesday night to set up a round of 16 meeting with Belgium in Seattle on Monday. But the U.S. will be without its red-hot striker Folarin Balogun on Monday after he was shown a controversial red card in the win. 

⚽ Check out SI’s World Cup Daily

Balogun was sent off in the 64th minute after a hard challenge on Tarik Muharemović. Balogun stepped on the back of the defender’s leg as they battled for the ball, and Muharemović needed medical attention. Balogun was not cautioned for the play on the field, but the video assistant referee called for a review of the incident. After viewing the replay, Balogun was shown a straight red card by referee Raphael Claus of Brazil. 

The decision was widely criticized for being excessively harsh. Balogun did not intentionally step on Muharemović, nor did he stomp forcefully on his leg. He was simply trying to regain his footing as the two players jostled for position. (You can watch the play here and decide for yourself whether it was worthy of a red.) It was certainly a foul. It was probably deserving of a yellow card. But a straight red was too severe a punishment. CONTINUE DAN’S COLUMN ON SI 

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👀 The top five …

… things I saw yesterday: 

5. Dansby Swanson’s grand slam for his third homer of the game. Sure, it came off a position player, but it was his fifth homer in a span of 24 hours after he hit two on Tuesday. He has nine homers in his last 13 games, during which time the Cubs are 11–2. 

4. All the English fans in Atlanta for their team’s World Cup match doing soccer-style chants for Braves outfielder Michael Harris II. 

3. Harry Kane’s impressive go-ahead goal for England against DR Congo. 

2. Ismaïla Sarr’s goal to put Senegal up 2–0 on Belgium. Here’s another look at the incredible long-range pass from Moussa Niakhaté and Sarr’s soft touch to bring the ball down with his chest. 

1. Malik Tillman’s free-kick goal to stretch the United States’ lead over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Here’s what Tillman’s right foot (the one he used to score the goal) looked like after the match. He had gotten stepped on just before the free kick and his foot was bleeding through his sock.  

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In the latest episode of Others Receiving Votes, Pat Forde, Bryan Fischer and Kevin Sweeney break down the most intriguing college football teams, coaches, players and games in the Power 4 conferences. 

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Published by RJ Hamster

I was born on 6 August 1956 in San Francisco, California to Janet and (the late) Richard Hovis. I grew up in Santa Monica, California where I attended elementary, junior high school, and high school (graduating in 1974), in addition to involvement in sports and recreation (Little League +, the Boy’s Club ++). Further, it was in elementary school – St. Augustine’s By-the -Sea Parish School that I found, and made the choice to truly journey with God. I attended Arizona State University from 1974 to 1977 – seeking to become an architect, however, I was not accepted, and, as such, I graduated with a Liberal Arts degree. Upon graduation from Arizona State University, I attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and studied City and Regional Planning at the Master’s level. I successfully completed one (1) year in a two (2) year program – I did not complete the Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning – due to personal reasons. I returned to Santa Monica where I started (October 1979) my career as graphic designer with Exxon Company, USA. I spent five years with Exxon Company, USA. While working with Exxon Company, USA I was accepted into architectural school – Sci-Arc in Southern California, however, I did not attend preferring to stay with Exxon.. In 1982 I married Laura Flosi and in April 1983 we had our one and only child – Lauren Alain Hovis – a gift from God. We moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1984 from Los Angeles, where I went to work as a graphic designer with Kitchell CEM (from 1985 -1987). From 1987 – 1995 I was an independent contractor, and a registered representative in mortgage finance, financial management, graphic design, and drafting. Further, I attended the University of Phoenix and successfully obtained a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) in 1982. I was also a member of the Scottsdale Jaycees, where I became very involved in community events and projects. In 1994, I accepted a cartography position with the Defense Mapping Agency in Reston, Virginia. As such, I relocated from Phoenix to Reston. In 1998, I was accepted and worked as a Visual Information Officer with the Central Intelligence Agency. In 2002, I worked as a Support Officer until my retirement (due to a need for shoulder surgery) in September 2018. Away from my Federal Government service, I have been involved in various organizations and activities in Northern Virginia. In November of 2011, I married Rebecca Ouellette in Santa Monica, California. I reside in San Tan Valley, AZ with my two hamster - Jess and Timothy, our fish, our lizard - RJ Lizard., and our cats - Pearl and Grey. As to hobbies, I enjoy playing sports, attending sporting events, mentoring individuals from financial management to hamsters, building models, photography, travel, multimedia design, managing partner for RJ Hamster, and jazz – smooth jazz to a samba or a bossa nova. Love and God Bless, Peter – aka RJ Hamster Jo hi

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