Quote :

" Go USA sportsball teams"

and that’s you telling on yourself

waiting for your pro-hydration break argument next

[Edited on July 5, 2026 at 7:52 PM. Reason : .]

7/5/2026 7:47:59 PM

Trump's intervention and mob tactics had no effect.

That's probably why not a single professional commentator thought there was any chance to appeal the decision and that the judgment was final.

I only wish heelfan was still here so he and thegoodlife3 could finally be on the same side of an issue.

7/5/2026 7:56:52 PM

Quote :

"waiting for your pro-hydration break argument next"

What makes you think I would care about this? It's mainly an advertising revenue grab, but it IS pretty hot out there in non-West Coast games. You've got the wrong guy.

7/5/2026 7:59:53 PM

Fifa put the rule in place so they could do what they want. They did similar for Ronaldo. Fifa like money, what threats or promises could Trump have with a tournament half over?

[Edited on July 5, 2026 at 8:04 PM. Reason : Sometimes you just have to let yourself enjoy something, watched the Qatar cup too]

7/5/2026 8:01:13 PM

you mean to tell me that the most corrupt sports organization in the world would do something for ad revenue?!?!?

7/5/2026 8:01:35 PM

I mean, is this news? I don't understand the point you are trying to make. I know FIFA is corrupt.

They gave Trump a fake Peace Prize, FFS!

I want to enjoy something. I want my government to stop fucking around with everything in life.

But I'm not going to pretend not to know what's behind obvious outcomes just because it's more convenient for my selected fandom.

7/5/2026 8:30:41 PM

this is why sports fans should stay away from politics

[Edited on July 5, 2026 at 9:27 PM. Reason : leave it to the intellectuals and you just focus on one color team beating the other color team]

7/5/2026 9:26:40 PM

Democratic credibility watch is 72 pages but go off

7/5/2026 9:44:49 PM

Quote :

"proving my point [Edited on January 21, 2026 at 12:20 PM. Reason : full of sound and fury, signifying nothing]"

[Edited on July 5, 2026 at 9:49 PM. Reason : back to sports balls! go team!!]

7/5/2026 9:49:05 PM

🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

7/5/2026 9:52:25 PM

^^



[Edited on July 5, 2026 at 9:54 PM. Reason : QuitHavingFun.meme]

7/5/2026 9:53:17 PM

ANYWAY


That azteca advantage not doing much in first half*

*im 10 min behind

[Edited on July 5, 2026 at 10:06 PM. Reason : COLD TAKE]

7/5/2026 10:04:12 PM

Have fun, but just be honest.

7/5/2026 10:06:00 PM

It's a corrupt decision with or without that guys involvement. I was excited about before I heard about the phone call, just like you. I simply didn't change my mind after.

If that guy had his way, Balogun would not be on the team at all, so if Balogun scores 8 goals tomorrow night, I will not think for a second that guy deserves a piece.

And if someone decides to make a principled stand and keep him out, go off pt 2, but that is would also be an unprecedented first in sports and would just do even more to make the game about that guy.

The US team is OUR team, not his.

7/5/2026 10:12:39 PM

Fair, but he's the only President who does this.

7/5/2026 10:19:51 PM

He is neither the only world leader who tries corrupt shit nor the only world leader who succeeds, even if we restrict cases to FIFA, once again: Qatar.

This specific thing is new and weird but at the base it's the same thing. Also wasn't even the first time this cup: Iran.

But yea he fucking sucks and I hate how he makes us talk about him. I would feel better if the red card was left alone but oh well, he doesn't get to spoil it



Also this game is wild, if England make it through maybe the King can make a call for Quansah

[Edited on July 5, 2026 at 10:26 PM. Reason : E]

7/5/2026 10:25:27 PM

Based on rwoodys posts, it seems the suspension was legit? I thought everyone said it was BS

7/5/2026 10:29:43 PM

Harry Kane

7/5/2026 10:31:46 PM

Quote :

"Based on rwoodys posts, it seems the suspension was legit? I thought everyone said it was BS"

You can get intense, well-reasoned long arguments either way. My position is, I don't know, but rescinding the suspension is very suspect, at best, without explaining why it was a mistaken red card. English Premier League will occasionally do this but I think FIFA has never done it before. And this time they gave no explanation. Like a scotus shadow docket, it's already suspect but the lack of explanation makes it even more so. Technically it's within the rules based on what FIFA cited but the rule essentially just says we can do whatever we want, so...


Edit: Actually I think they explicitly held up the red card but gave probation instead of suspension, the rest of the above paragraph stands

The rule:


[Edited on July 5, 2026 at 10:38 PM. Reason : E]

7/5/2026 10:36:04 PM

Wow, not the discussion I expected when I opened this thread.

Enjoying the match, would be crazy if mexico ties it up in the last 10

7/5/2026 10:44:36 PM

so close

7/5/2026 11:06:04 PM

7/6/2026 12:14:06 AM

That was a game, that while watching it, you knew it was a classic

7/6/2026 12:30:11 AM

^^
The ref DID call it. Then someone meddled and suspended his (bad?) call.

Now everyone who (rightly?) vilifies the US has an excuse and a gripe if the US comes out on top tonight, especially if in a less than decisive fashion.

It didn't have to be that way. But there's plenty of chance to just lose the game outright. I'm not saying that I WANT that result, but I'm also not pretending that anything I think, say, or do has any material impact on the outcome. That would be insane.

So, I'll watch the game and see what happens.

7/6/2026 6:29:40 AM

Quote :

"NEW??@TheAthleticFC FIFA grant Belgium right to appeal against suspension of Balogun’s one-game ban Belgium & U.S. have till 5am Monday PST to make any submissions - to be heard by rep from FIFA appeals committee - as Belgium continue to fight ruling"

May not be over

7/6/2026 6:55:26 AM

FIFA is stuck now. There's no winning outcome for them.

7/6/2026 7:31:27 AM

It doesnt really matter anyway. There is no "winning" outcome for the US or the World Cup in general if you check the official reddits.

Basically this is just the most recent of a series of disasters that define this one, for example, the disaster France/Paraguay game. So while this is the cherry on top it really just highlights this WC will be talked about forever because of the poor refs. Of course "the refs" are always a problem but its been especially bad this time and also with VAR.

Like most things Trump just gives the world an excuse to specifically shit on the USA. I wish they would funnel their anger to that one man instead of everything American.

7/6/2026 8:20:54 AM

Obviously it should have never been a red card. Just viewing it by itself, it shouldn't have been. But comparing it to other tackles in that game and throughout this cup, it definitely shouldn't have been. Maybe a yellow.... maybe.

7/6/2026 9:02:48 AM

TA WAS IN!

7/6/2026 9:10:53 AM

^^
I don't disagree with you.

Doesn't change my unease and distaste around the circumstances and optics.

7/6/2026 9:16:45 AM

It def should not have been a red card. But at this point, that is moot -- teams get undeserved red cards all the time and have to deal with it. Although I am glad that he can play for USA against Belgium, now it is a matter of if USA wins the game, the whole world will say "Its because they cheated".

I thought Cape Verde vs. Argentina was the game of the tournament. Then I watched England vs. Mexico. What a pair of bangers.

7/6/2026 9:16:57 AM

Bangers and mash?

7/6/2026 9:18:25 AM

One possible low hanging fruit is they take away that yellow card that France got. They actually requested its review this morning I think.

Then at least the American red card decision doesnt "stand alone."

7/6/2026 9:27:31 AM

Lol sepp blatter is taking shots now
https://bsky.app/profile/rodger.bsky.social/post/3mpy54pokvs26

7/6/2026 9:44:19 AM

LOL!

He's certainly credible!

7/6/2026 10:09:57 AM

Quote :

"TRUMP: I can only say this: I had nothing to do with the decision. I said, 'I think this should be reviewed.'"

There you have it, case closed, our honorable President Cannot Tell a Lie

7/6/2026 1:40:27 PM

If he had told them not to review it the dude wouldn't be playing today

7/6/2026 1:46:38 PM

appeal denied

7/6/2026 1:50:36 PM

Quote :

"CASE CLOSED"

7/6/2026 2:08:05 PM

Ryan ohanlon:

Quote :

"We've reached the "my aunt, who doesn't watch soccer and couldn't name either the player or the coach, just texted me to say that Poch needs to bench Balogun for the Belgium game" part of the news cycle. "

7/6/2026 3:59:09 PM

Belgium could appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and if they were successful could have the entire US team thrown out of the World Cup.

7/6/2026 5:02:06 PM

People who don't watch sports aren't allowed to express opinions on blatant corruption that affects the global standing of their country.

7/6/2026 5:06:43 PM

yep, this is the straw that broke the camels back when it comes to our global standing

7/6/2026 5:45:53 PM

You're a puzzle, TGL.

You care about minutiae until you don't.

You can completely look the other way when it suits you.

And never any less confident that you are right and others are wrong.

7/6/2026 6:32:51 PM

pearl clutching over anything that FIFA does is silly

it’s as simple as that

7/6/2026 6:46:28 PM

I hate having to agree with TGL. I really do.

But the red card was total BS in the first place, and FIFA is an openly corrupt organization where bribery and blatant cheating are pretty much a given. I loathe Trump, but caring that he called in a favor is stupid. Just enjoy the game. It's not like the US have suddenly become favorites to win the whole thing. The odds of them beating Belgium are already against them, but throw in Spain and then France? Yeah right.

[Edited on July 6, 2026 at 7:02 PM. Reason : .]

7/6/2026 7:01:35 PM

^^
What are you talking about what FIFA does?

They have no credibility.

I don't care what FIFA does -- I care what the USA does.

In this case, the President inappropriately inserted himself into a situation and strong-armed FIFA while we're hosting, so we lose further credibility. Two crime families did a quid pro quo right in front of you.

I don't like that. You're seemingly good with it. But then you will go to war with people over the stupidest shit.

So yes, a puzzle. . .

[Edited on July 6, 2026 at 7:14 PM. Reason : And if it's not already clear, I don't support the initial red. But I can hold two opinions at once!]

7/6/2026 7:01:47 PM

Dude, this is soccer we're talking about. Americans care for like a month every four years and they just happen to care a bit more because we're hosts and have a decent team. On the world stage, this isn't moving the needle at all in terms of how our allies/enemies perceive us.

7/6/2026 7:04:07 PM

Oh, I didn't know that. I guess I'm good with it.

Thanks again, Daddy Trump!

Thank you for explaining to me why corruption is OK when it is fun to watch.

7/6/2026 7:09:24 PM

The Coz for president 2028!

7/6/2026 7:26:08 PM