Folarin Balogun didn’t want to keep U.S. men’s national team fans waiting.
The newly-minted USMNT striker scored his first goal for the national team as his side ran out 2-0 winners over Canada in the CONCACAF Nations League final.
U.S. Soccer’s recruitment of Balogun was, amid all the chaos and strangeness of the past few months, unquestionably an enormous development for the program. Balogun scored 21 goals for unfancied Reims in Ligue 1 this past season, turning a loan from Arsenal into a battle between the USMNT, England, and Nigeria to get him into their respective player pools.
Balogun’s USMNT debut saw the 21-year-old draw praise from interim coach B.J. Callaghan for his pressing and hold-up play, but fans have been hoping that the prolific striker could solve the team’s issues turning good play into goals.
Against Canada, Balogun proved that he’s exactly what those folks were dreaming of, showing poise and technique to beat Milan Borjan in the 35th minute. Gio Reyna pounced on a loose ball produced by hard work from Tim Weah, sending Balogun through to finish the job with aplomb.
After the match, USMNT interim coach B.J. Callaghan said Balogun’s instant success with the team was down to the group’s ability to bring him into the fold.
“I think he’s a great example of what our culture is all about, right? So he’s a player that came from the outside. He felt welcomed, he chose us,” said Callaghan at a post-match press conference. “And now you see how quickly he can adapt. We have a very clear identity on how we want to play. So when we’re able to spend time with him, he’s able to do the on-field performance.
“I give the team a lot of credit for welcoming him in: open arms, making him feel part of it,” added Callaghan. “You get the best out of players when they feel most comfortable, calm and confident. And that doesn’t just happen from on-field performances or tactics. That comes from the 22 other hours that they’re spending off of the field together. And that’s what’s so special about this group.”
Watch Balogun’s first USMNT goal
FOLARIN BALOGUN SCORES HIS FIRST GOAL FOR THE @USMNT IN HIS SECOND APPEARANCE! 🇺🇸 🦅 pic.twitter.com/YtrrkRNx8x
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) June 19, 2023
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