Balogun Suspension Prompts Four US Frontline Variations vs Belgium
With Balogun suspended for the Round of 16 vs Belgium, Mauricio Pochettino weighs four attack options: start Ricardo Pepi in Balogun’s role; slot in Haji Wright as a Balogun-like striker; use Christian Pulisic as a false nine; or deploy a two-forward setup (Pepi–Balogun) if the lineup allows, each carrying trade-offs in chemistry, aerial threat, and maintaining wide options.











