USMNT REWIND: Balogun Bags One More Goal to End Standout Season in France

Folarin Balogun topped off one memorable season with another goal for Reims.

Valencia's Yunus Musah and Celta Vigo's Luca de la Torre both voided bottoming out in La Liga, surviving relegation.

While Kellyn Acosta, Aaron Long, Timmy Tillman and LAFC, could not boost themselves to the Concacaf Champions League crown.

FINISHING OFF WELL

Folarin Balogun closed out the French Ligue 1 season and warmed up for the Concacaf Nations League Final Four doing what he does best - scoring a goal. The 21-year-old striker who was on loan from Arsenal, tallied the lone goal for Reims in its 3-1 home loss to Montpellier on Saturday, June 3.

Balogun, who recently announced his decision to play for the USMNT, finished with 22 goals across all competitions, 21 in the league. He became the first American player to score 20 or more goals in a top five league in Europe. His latest came in the 28th minute against goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte, off a Thomas Foket assist.

The USA meets Mexico in the CNL semifinals on June 15 and will play either Canada or Panama in the final or third-place game on June 18. Both contests are in Las Vegas.

CLOSE CALL

Luca de la Torre and Celta Vigo ensured themselves of staying in Spain's La Liga for the 12th consecutive season with 2-1 win over champions Barcelona on Sunday, June 4. Celta Vigo, which entered the day one point above the relegation zone, finished in 13th place. De la Torre played 70 minutes. Gabri Veiga scored twice for Celta Vigo.

AVOIDING THE DROP

Yunus Musah and Valencia avoided getting demoted to Spain's second tier with a 1-1 draw at Real Betis in La Liga on Sunday, June 4.

Having come on in the 78^th minute, Musah’s time on the field was short lived as he received a straight red card for a dangerous foul on Edgar.

Valencia finished in 16^th place, two points above the relegation zone.

WAIT TIL NEXT YEAR

Taylor Booth and Utrecht came up short in their bid to reach the Europa League, falling to Sparta Rotterdam on penalty kicks in the second leg of the Eredivisie Playoffs on Sunday, June 4.

After dropping a 2-1 decision to Sparta in the first leg on Thursday, June 1, Utrecht pulled off a 1-0 win in the second leg to tie the aggregate goals series.

Booth, who played 65 minutes as a substitute in the 120-minute match, converted a penalty in the shootout. However, Utrecht lost the tie-breaker, 5-4.

FALLING SHORT

LAFC, along with defender Aaron Long and midfielders Kellyn Acosta and Timmy Tillman dropped both legs of the Concacaf Champions League final to Leon with an aggregate score of 3-1.

After losing in Mexico, 2-1, on Wednesday, May 31, the MLS side was edged in the home leg, 1-0, on Sunday, June 4.

Long was forced from Sunday's game in the 69th minute when he suffered a cut on his head after heading a corner kick over the crossbar four minutes prior.

A COUPLE OF FINE FINISHES

-- Jesús Ferreira is tied for third place with nine goals in the MLS Golden Boot competition after finding the net in FC Dallas' 2-1 loss at Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday, May 31, scoring in the first minute of stoppage time.

Ferreira, who is tied with Philadelphia's Julian Carranza, Atlanta's Giorgos Giakoumakis and Seattle's Jordan Morris, trails co-leaders Dennis Bouanga (Los Angeles FC) and Hany Mukhtar (Nashville), who have 10 goals apiece.

-- Brandon Vazquez converted a 70th-minute penalty kick for an insurance goal in FC Cincinnati's 3-1 away win at New York City FC on Wednesday, May 31. He has four goals this MLS season.

ROLDAN RETURNS

After missing 11 games due to concussion protocol, Seattle Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan celebrated his 28^th birthday by returning in the team's scoreless draw with the Portland Timbers on Saturday, June 3.

Roldan replaced Reed Baker-Whiting in the 57th minute. He last played for Seattle in a 3-0 victory over St. Louis City on April 9.

SIX AND COUNTING

Goalkeeper Sean Johnson registered his sixth clean sheet of the MLS season in Toronto FC's scoreless home draw at the Chicago Fire on Wednesday, May 31.

Johnson, who made one save, is tied with Philadelphia Union’s Andre Blake in shutouts, trails Seattle Sounders' keeper Stefan Frei (nine).

FULL RUNDOWN

• Paxten Aaronson (Eintracht Frankfurt; Bundesliga) - In 18, DNP in 2-0 loss vs. RB Leipzig in Berlin (June 3)
• Kellyn Acosta (Los Angeles FC; MLS) - 90 minutes in 1-0 loss vs. Leon in CCL (June 4); In 18, DNP in 2-1 loss at Leon in CCL (May 31)
• Paul Arriola (FC Dallas; MLS) - Injured, DNP in 2-1 loss vs. Nashville SC (June 3)
• Folarin Balogun (Reims; French Ligue 1) - 90 minutes, GOAL, in 3-1 loss vs. Montpellier (June 3)
• George Bello (Arminia Bielefeld; 2. Bundesliga) - 17 minutes as a substitute in 4-0 loss at Wehen Wiesbaden in 2. Bundesliga Relegation Playoff (June 2)
• Taylor Booth (Utrecht; Dutch Eredivisie) - 65 minutes as a substitute in 1-0 win at Sparta Rotterdam in Eredivisie Europa League Playoff second leg; converted penalty in shootout (lost in shootout, 5-4 (June 4); Injured, DNP in 2-1 loss vs. Sparta Rotterdam in Eredivisie Europa League Playoff (May 31)
• Johnny Cardoso (Internacional; Brazilian Serie A) - 90 minutes in 1-1 draw at Santos (June 3); 66 minutes in 3-1 win vs. America Mineiro (3-3 aggregate, loses in PKs, 5-4) (May 31)
• Sergiño Dest (AC Milan; Italy Serie A) - Not in 18, DNP in 3-1 win vs. Verona (June 4)
• Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo, Spain La Liga) - 70 minutes in 2-1 win vs. Barcelona (June 4)
• Jesus Ferreira (FC Dallas; MLS) - 90 minutes in 2-1 loss vs. Nashville SC (June 3); 90 minutes, GOAL, in 2-1 loss at Sporting Kansas City (May 31)
• Sean Johnson (Toronto FC; MLS) - 90 minutes in 1-1 draw at Minnesota United (June 3); 90 minutes in 0-0 draw vs. Chicago Fire (May 31)
• Aaron Long (Los Angeles FC; MLS) - 69 minutes in 1-0 loss vs. Leon in CCL (June 4); 90 minutes in 2-1 loss at Leon in CCL (May 31)
• Mark McKenzie (Genk; Belgian Pro League) - 90 minutes in 2-2 draw vs. Antwerp (June 4)
• Matt Miazga (FC Cincinnati; MLS) - 90 minutes in 1-0 win vs. Chicago Fire (June 3); 90 minutes in 3-1 win at New York City Fc (May 31)
• Shaq Moore (Nashville SC; MLS) - 90 minutes in 2-1 win at FC Dallas (June 3)
• Aidan Morris (Columbus Crew; MLS) - 90 minutes in 4-2 win vs. Charlotte FC (June 3); 90 minutes in 3-2 win vs. Colorado Rapids (May 31)
• Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders; MLS) - Injured, DNP in 0-0 draw vs. Portland Timbers (June 3); Injured, DNP, in 1-0 loss vs. San Jose Earthquakes (May 31)
• Yunus Musah (Valencia; Spain La Liga) - 12 minutes as a substitute in 1-1 draw at Real Betis (June 4)
• Erik Palmer-Brown (Troyes; French Ligue 1) - 90 minutes in 1-1 draw vs. Lille (June 3)
• Bryan Reynolds (Westerlo; Belgian Pro League) - 90 minutes in 2-0 loss at Cercle Brugge (June 3)
• Miles Robinson (Atlanta United; MLS) - 90 minutes in 3-3 draw vs. New England Revolution (June 3)
• Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders; MLS) - 33 minutes as a substitute in 0-0 draw vs. Portland Timbers (June 3)
• James Sands (New York City FC; MLS) - 90 minutes in 0-0 draw vs. New England Revolution (June 3); 90 minutes in 3-1 loss vs. FC Cincinnati (May 31)
• John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls; MLS) - 90 minutes in 3-0 loss vs. Orlando City SC (June 3); 90 minutes at 1-0 win at Inter Miami FC (May 31)
• Brandon Vazquez (FC Cincinnati; MLS) - 29 minutes as a substitute in 1-0 win vs. Chicago Fire (June 3); 90 minutes, GOAL, in 3-1 win at New York City FC (May 31)
• Sam Vines (Royal Antwerp; Belgian Pro League) - Not in 18, DNP in 2-2 draw at Genk (June 4)
• Tim Weah (Lille; French Ligue 1) – 45 minutes in 1-1 draw at Troyes (June 3)
• DeAndre Yedlin (Inter Miami CF; MLS) - 90 minutes in 2-1 loss vs. D.C. United (June 3): 90 minutes in 1-0 loss vs. New York Red Bulls (May 31)
• Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC; MLS) - 58 minutes in 2-1 win at FC Dallas (June 3)