Add Us On Google Add as a preferred source on Google

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) - Folarin Balogun put the United States ahead of Bosnia-Herzegovina in the World Cup's round of 32 match on Wednesday night with his third goal of the tournament, then got a red card early in the second half that forced the Americans to play a man short.

United States' Folarin Balogun (20) reacts after scoring his team's first goal during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (Julio Cortez | AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Balogun celebrated a goal with The Silencer move used by the NBA's LeBron James - twice - but the first time he put the ball in the net only for the goal to be disallowed for offside.

He received a red card from Brazilian referee Raphael Claus for a foul in which he stepped on an ankle of Tarik Muharemovic. Claus didn't initially signal a card but showed Balogun red after a video review.

Balogun will not play in the team's next match against Belgium due to the red card.

Referee Raphael Claus of Brazil shows a red card to United States' Folarin Balogun, right, during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (Julio Cortez | AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

After his goal was disallowed for offside in the 31st minute, Balogun scored a goal that counted in the 45th minute after Malik Tillman's pass was deflected into his path by Bosnia's Stjepan Radeljic with a sliding clearance attempt.

The ball deflected off a foot of Muharemovic and bounced in front of Balogun, who with his left foot sent the ball between goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj and the far post for his third goal of the tournament and his 12th international goal.

James, a 41-year-old who is the NBA's career scoring leader, designed the celebration to quiet a hostile opposing crowd.

For his part, James also celebrated on social media.

Balogun matched Landon Donovan in 2010 for the second-most goals by an American in a Wo

#atlantanewsfirst   #crimewatchatlanta