Kansas City fans celebrate as Folarin Balogun cleared to play vs. Belgium

The mood at Kansas City’s FIFA Fan Festival got even better Sunday after fans learned United States striker Folarin Balogun will be available for the Americans’ Round of 16 match against Belgium.FIFA announced Sunday that it has suspended Balogun’s red card from Wednesday’s victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, allowing the U.S. forward to play Monday night in Seattle.Many fans believed the original red card should never have stood.”I think that’s the right decision,” one supporter said. “I’m glad they did the right thing.”Others called the challenge an accident and said they were relieved the United States would have one of its top attacking players available for one of its biggest matches of the tournament.”I don’t think he committed any penalty,” another fan said. “I’m glad he’s back.”Not everyone completely disagreed with the initial call. One fan said the challenge had the potential to cause a serious injury but didn’t believe Balogun intended to make dangerous contact.Balogun has been one of the United States’ most dangerous offensive threats during the tournament, and fans said his return gives the Americans a much better chance against Belgium.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. —

The mood at Kansas City’s FIFA Fan Festival got even better Sunday after fans learned United States striker Folarin Balogun will be available for the Americans’ Round of 16 match against Belgium.

FIFA announced Sunday that it has suspended Balogun’s red card from Wednesday’s victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, allowing the U.S. forward to play Monday night in Seattle.

Many fans believed the original red card should never have stood.

“I think that’s the right decision,” one supporter said. “I’m glad they did the right thing.”

Others called the challenge an accident and said they were relieved the United States would have one of its top attacking players available for one of its biggest matches of the tournament.

“I don’t think he committed any penalty,” another fan said. “I’m glad he’s back.”

Not everyone completely disagreed with the initial call.

One fan said the challenge had the potential to cause a serious injury but didn’t believe Balogun intended to make dangerous contact.

Balogun has been one of the United States’ most dangerous offensive threats during the tournament, and fans said his return gives the Americans a much better chance against Belgium.