Balogun Returns to USMNT: Proven Monaco Striker Joins Squad for September Matches
Well, well, well. Look who’s back from the injury wilderness just in time for some September friendlies that actually matter. Folarin Balogun has officially rejoined the USMNT roster for upcoming matches against South Korea and Japan, and honestly, it’s about time we got some clarity on what this striker situation looks like under Mauricio Pochettino.
After what feels like an eternity of watching Brian White pull hamstrings and Ricardo Pepi sit on the sidelines “completing his return from injury” (whatever that means), Balogun’s addition as the 23rd man gives us something resembling depth up front. Sure, he’s been dealing with his own injury demons, a shoulder problem that basically ate half of last season, followed by an ankle issue that knocked him out of Gold Cup contention, but at least he’s vertical and kicking a ball again.
Balogun’s Rocky Road Back to the Pitch
The Monaco striker hasn’t exactly had the smoothest 12 months. Between shoulder surgeries and ankle tweaks, Balogun has been more familiar with the medical staff than the starting XI. His last USMNT appearance? Try going back a full calendar year. That’s an eternity in international football, especially when you’re trying to establish yourself as the go-to striker for a team with World Cup ambitions.
But here’s the thing about Balogun: when he’s healthy, he’s been productive. Five goals in 17 caps isn’t Messi territory, but it’s solid work for a guy who’s still figuring out his role in this system. The real question is whether Pochettino sees him as the answer to America’s striker puzzle, or just another piece in an increasingly crowded forward rotation.
His season debut against Lille last Sunday wasn’t exactly a Hollywood comeback story (Monaco lost 1-0), but getting 90 minutes under his belt is more important than the scoreline right now. Baby steps, people.
The Striker Battle Nobody Asked For But Everyone Needs
Here’s where things get spicy. With Balogun back in the mix, we’ve got ourselves a genuine competition for the No. 9 spot. Josh Sargent has been lighting up the Championship with four goals in four games for Norwich, the kind of form that makes you wonder why he can’t replicate it in a Stars and Stripes jersey. Then there’s Damion Downs, who’s still figuring out life at Southampton but brings youth and energy to the equation.
The cynic in me says Pochettino is just throwing bodies at the wall to see what sticks. The optimist thinks maybe, just maybe, having actual competition for places might light a fire under some of these guys. Either way, it beats watching the same underperforming forwards get automatic call-ups because, well, who else are you going to pick?
What Balogun Brings That Others Don’t
Let’s be real for a minute. Balogun offers something different from the usual American striker suspects. He’s got that European polish from his time coming up through Arsenal’s system, and his movement in the box is several levels above what we typically see from USMNT forwards. When he’s on his game, he doesn’t just finish chances – he creates them out of nothing with clever runs and quick feet.
The Monaco connection doesn’t hurt either. Playing alongside the likes of Wissam Ben Yedder and Aleksandr Golovin means he’s used to operating in tight spaces with quality players around him. That experience shows when he drops deep to link play or makes those perfectly timed runs that leave defenders scratching their heads.
Pochettino’s Puzzle Pieces Start to Fit
Look, Mauricio Pochettino didn’t take this job to manage a team that peaks at “pretty good in CONCACAF.” The man wants to compete with the big boys, and that means having reliable goal scorers who can perform when it matters. Balogun’s return gives him another legitimate option, someone who can actually put the ball in the back of the net without needing three clear-cut chances to do it.
The timing works out nicely, too. These September friendlies against South Korea and Japan aren’t meaningless exhibitions; they’re legitimate tests against quality opposition. Both teams know how to defend, both have players who can punish mistakes, and both will give Pochettino a real read on where his striker options stand heading into more important matches down the road.
The Bottom Line on Balogun’s Return
Is Folarin Balogun the savior American soccer has been waiting for? Probably not. But he’s a quality striker who brings international experience and a proven track record when healthy. In a position where the USMNT has struggled for consistency, that’s not nothing.
The real test comes now: can he stay healthy, can he rediscover the form that made him a regular starter, and can he prove he deserves to be the focal point of this attack? Because if he can’t, we’re right back to the same old questions about who’s going to score the goals when it matters most.
September 6th against South Korea can’t come fast enough. Time to see what this newly assembled group can do.
