‘It had no impact’: USMNT insist Balogun political circus did not affect World Cup exit

Folarin Balogun shakes hands with Mauricio Pochettino after he is subbed off in the second half of Monday’s defeat.Photograph: John Dorton/USSF/Getty ImagesFor a while, it seemed the only story in the lead-up to the US men’s national team last-16 matchup against Belgium was the presence of Folarin Balogun. In the end, Balogun’s presence didn’t really matter at all. Not on the field, at least.The forward was serviceable in the USMNT’s 4-1 loss and even earned the fou