Ragged USA crash out of World Cup with last-16 defeat to Belgium

The United States' quest to get Folarin Balogun's red card overturned may have opened a Pandora's box - one specifically designed to contain the national team's worst nightmares.

With a country on the verge of falling in love with this team, and tens of millions eager for a reason to embrace the glory and pride this sport can provide, there were instead questions of fairness and propriety. A star striker, who made an honest, unintentional mistake - and said and did all the right things - became a talking point. And a day later, on an otherwise beautiful Monday evening in the Pacific north-west, the United States' World Cup dream ended with a thud.