Folarin Balogun has said that the time since he first joined up with the U.S. men’s national team has been the best two months of his life.
Balogun officially chose the USMNT over England and Nigeria in May and in early June, he was named to a U.S. roster for the first time when he was included in a 24-man squad for the CONCACAF Nations League.
The 22-year-old made his USMNT debut in a 3-0 win over Mexico in the Nations League semifinal, before scoring his first U.S. goal in a 2-0 win over Canada in the final.
After a hugely successful loan at Reims last season, Balogun has now returned to his parent club Arsenal, which is in Washington D.C. ahead of Wednesday’s MLS All-Star Game. Speaking to the media in remarks carried by CBS Sports, the striker said his early time with the USMNT could not have gone any better.
“Honestly, the last two months when I first linked up with the team and then we went to Vegas and we played the games, that was honestly the best month, two months of my life,” Balogun said.
“It was such an amazing experience, I learned so much. I can’t put it into words. Obviously winning my first professional trophy — I think a lot of people forget that was my first professional trophy. To do it with your national team, not many people get the opportunity.
“And of course for me to score my first goal in a final. I mean, there’s just so many highs on highs on highs, so I’m just trying to keep that going. I’m going be back there in September, and I’m always looking forward to it. I’m really happy I made the decision [to represent the USMNT].”
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