USA’s Nigerian-born stiker, Folarin Balogun is staying updbeat, despite his inability to save the side from crashing out of the ongoing FIFA World Cup in the round of 16, as he believes ‘soccer in America will only become bigger’ after their efforts.
Sports247 reports that most of the atttention heading into Monday night’s clash wirh Belgium was on the controversial reversal of a red card Balogun got in their 2-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina, but the AS Monaco of France striker opted to keep mum on the issue.
He instead issued a collective apology on behalf of the entire squad and urged their fans to keep believing in them, as he reckons that Team USA took giant steps forward as one of the three co-hosts at this year’s Mundial and believes they are bound to keep improving from there.
The former Arsenal of England and Reims of France attacker, who hogged all headlines at the start of this week, after President Donald Trump’s controversial intervention helped get his red card ban overturned, admitted the USMNT were not at their best against Belgium.
With a mammoth 37 million fans watching on FOX when the third Belgium goal went in at the peak of the broadcast, Balogun’s presence on the field was not enough to secure a win for the hosts in Seattle, and the striker did not hesitate to issue an unreserved apology.
“I want to say sorry to our fans. It was not good enough when it mattered most and we let you down. Soccer in America will only become bigger – the belief, the talent, and the passion are continually growing.
“I know the best days are in front of us. The future belongs to those who never stop believing. This moment will fuel us, and we will be back,” Balogun stated via Instagram, amidst a backlash from many American fans, ex-internationals and analysts.
