Finally Fit, Folarin Balogun Gets First Chance to Impress under Mauricio Pochettino
Balogun was added to the roster for matches against Korea Republic and Japan
Could Folarin Balogun deliver for the United States in September?
That'll be top of mind as the U.S. Men’s National Team gears up to face Korea Republic and Japan in the September FIFA window.
Balogun was added to the now 23-player roster on Wednesday ahead of Aug. 31 when players report to New Jersey for training camp. He earned his first cap in the 2023 Concacaf Nations League Finals and scored his first goal in the 2-0 win against Canada in the Final, quickly garnering a name for himself as a scoring threat.
This window and the lead-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup also give Balogun a chance to answer another question: Can he stay healthy?
He last competed with the National Team in September 2024, just as Pochettino was hired. However, this isn’t Balogun’s first call-up under the head coach. Balogun was one of five forwards selected to the roster for June camp, but he sustained an ankle injury before reporting for National Team duty. The forward missed significant time during the last Ligue 1 season with a dislocated shoulder and the ankle injury.
This will give Pochettino a chance to evaluate the 24-year-old forward more thoroughly. Though, the forward has proven to be efficient for both club and country. Balogun has racked up five goals in 17 caps with the USMNT. On the club side, he recorded four goals in 16 appearances for AS Monaco last season.
Josh Sargent, Damion Downs and Tim Weah are forwards on this September roster who have played the No. 9 position. This September camp gives Pochettino a chance to look at several different players as decisions for the upcoming World Cup roster need to be made. And like other positions, the striker is ripe for the taking.
Other options at the position in the player pool — Ricardo Pepi, Patrick Agyemang, Haji Wright, Downs — have all earned caps under Pochettino. Now, Balogun is poised with the opportunity to prove his value, too, in Harrison, N.J. on Sept. 6 and then in Columbus, Ohio, on Sept. 9.