The race for the U.S. males’s nationwide group’s No. 9 function has turned in Folarin Balogun’s course.
Balogun scored the USMNT’s second objective on Tuesday in a 2-0 house pleasant win over Japan. The Monaco ahead earned SBI USMNT Man of the Match honors after delivering a hardworking 79-minute shift.
Balogun got here shut on two events to open the scoring within the first half however watched Keisuke Osako deny him on each makes an attempt. Christian Pulisic arrange Balogun within the field however his pair of quick-fire pictures had been repelled away by Osako.
Alex Zendejas opened the scoring for the USMNT within the thirtieth minute earlier than Balogun added his identify to the scoresheet after the hour mark.
Pulisic’s upfield go allowed Balogun to run onto it earlier than the 23-year-old drilled a low shot into the bottom-right nook. It marked Balogun’s first objective because the 2024 Copa America and his sixth total in USMNT colours.
He was substituted off within the 79th minute to a loud ovation, successful two duels, drawing one foul, and creating three offensive probabilities.
Balogun edged Christian Pulisic, Alex Zendejas, and Max Arfsten for Man of the Match honors.
What did you consider Balogun’s efficiency? The place would you rank him within the USMNT striker pecking order? Do you anticipate to see him referred to as in for the October and November home windows, if wholesome?
Share your ideas beneath.