The fallout of the USMNT’s World Cup exit has been ugly, but the problems started before their loss to Belgium.
The hosts had high hopes of progressing into the last eight, but their hopes were crushed in emphatic fashion with a 4-1 loss to Belgium.
Before the game, there was a rather bizarre incident, where FIFA quietly suspended two members of the USMNT’s backroom staff.
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No explanation for US staff’s World Cup ban from FIFA
Bans were a touchy subject heading into this tie. Folarin Balogun’s controversy overshadowed the build-up, especially after growing speculation of political interference from the White House.
But this disciplinary action went much more under the radar.
According to ESPN, team manager Sam Zapatka and US Soccer Federation vice president of security Frank Pannell are the men in question. The pair were unceremoniously suspended from attending the Belgium game, and no reason has been issued.
That in itself stinks. US soccer has taken a hammering worldwide after Donald Trump’s antics, and this just sounds like another stick to beat the team with — even though they had no part to play in the politics.
The USSF didn’t open up about it either. The best they could manage was that it has nothing to do with the Balogun saga that has dominated discourse this week.
For now, we can only speculate, but even then, nothing is really springing to mind.
We’ll see if any explanation emerges.
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