Just after 2:00 p.m. (ET) today, President Trump published the following statement on Truth Social:
Read more Do schoolbooks from 100 years ago explain the rise of narcissism today?
Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice. President DONALD J. TRUMP
What is he talking about? What is the “great injustice”?
He’s referring to the moment during the U.S. vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina World Cup match when the referee issued a bizarre, unwarranted red card to star striker Folarin Balogun. Initially, that made him ineligible to play in the crucial last-16 match against Belgium on Monday. Great or not, there was an injustice—I just hope Karma and those mercurial soccer gods agree in the coming days.
It’s clear that Balogun didn’t deliberately stamp on the B&H defender’s ankle. I just wonder, now that FIFA has bent over backward to re-institute his eligibility to play against Belgium, if that will dull the U.S. team’s cutting edge. Sometimes, when a team feels “hard done by,” it solidifies their sanctimonious indignation, giving them more power. Our team is already pulling together, but the “great injustice” added more “all for one, and one for all” spirit.
Read more Elon Musk’s answer to mortality
Given President Trump’s post, the spotlight has just intensified on an individual player. Additionally, the media is piling on, increasing performance expectations upon a person they describe as our best striker (with some creative player repositioning, Christian Pulisic could be deployed as a striker). Plus, there are other options. We have brilliant players all over the field, actually.
Our USMNT is a band of brothers that fights together. Balogun’s availability for the match against Belgium will enhance that. I would just warn against trying “too hard” to impress in a situation where a cool, calm, and collected approach may be more decisive. In other words, don’t be overly ambitious by “shooting” for glory when a teammate in a better position awaits a pass. I recommend that Coach Mauricio Pochettino read a couple of stanzas from Rudyard Kipling’s “If” poem before they enter the fiery cauldron that is Seattle Stadium.
Read more Is California’s Billionaire Tax Act constitutional?
Go USA! Belgian visitors have taken a liking to Ranch Dressing, so cream ‘em.
Image created using AI.