FIFA’s decision to suspend US striker Folarin Balogun’s red card ban has created somewhat of a media storm in the hours since, and Tom Brady is the latest to get involved in the conversation.
Balogun was set to miss their round of 16 tie against Belgium on Monday night, but a late change in the verdict means he will be available to Mauricio Pochettino for what should be the biggest game of this century for the USMNT.
The 25-year-old has already scored on three occasions during this World Cup, and Brady believes he will add to his tally at the Seattle Stadium.
And that will put him comfortably on a list Brady conjured on July 4th.
Tom Brady predicts Top 10 American sports moment from Folarin Balogun
Soccer has exploded in popularity in the States in recent years, and particularly since the World Cup kicked off in June.
Brady, who owns a minority stake in Birmingham City FC, will be happy to see that growth. He recognises the gravity of the occasion facing his national team on Monday, and thinks some more Balogun magic is in store — now that he has been cleared to play.
Brady replied to his own Fourth of July post, where he picked his all-time greatest American sports moments. After learning the news, he has made an amendment to the list.
He wrote on X: “We’re adding a Balogun goal to this list tomorrow.”
Balogun is a good bet to score a historic goal. He has looked like the most potent attacking option at Pochettino’s disposal.
Whether you think that would warrant a place on his list is a different question, but for one of the all-time great American athletes, it would be more than enough.
Tom Brady is loving this World Cup
Naturally, Brady’s focus is on the US at this tournament, but he has been enjoying the wider event tremendously.
He stirred up a bit of commotion last month when he claimed this World Cup was the best-ever edition. While most fans didn’t agree with him, it’s encouraging for US soccer that one of the nation’s most recognisable sports figures is so impressed by their efforts.
Soccer is still not at the level of the biggest American sports domestically, but promotion like this, and on-pitch drama like we have seen in the knockouts, will help the sport grow massively.
And the further the US can go, the more that growth will continue.
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