Tag: Folarin Balogun

Balogun back among the goals with brace as Monaco trounces Metz

It’s badly-needed good news for Balogun, who helped Monaco claim a dominant win

The good news for the U.S. men’s national team just keeps coming.

Folarin Balogun emerged from a tepid run of form to score twice as Monaco thumped Metz 5-2 in Ligue 1 on Saturday.

Balogun came off the bench to score his brace, making him the first American man in a top-five European league to do that since Charlie Davies did so for Sochaux in 2009.

The goals come on the heels of a dominant win over Mexico in the Concacaf Nations League final, and just hours after Tyler Adams came through a 90-minute match unscathed for the first time in just over a year.

For Balogun, the goals will come as a particular relief. The striker entered the match having scored just two times in his last 12 Monaco appearances, and head coach Adi Hütter removed him from penalty-taking duties after multiple high-profile misses from the spot.

That added up to a start on the bench for the 21-year-old, with Wissam Ben Yedder leading the line for the principality-based club as a lone forward. However, Hütter turned to the USMNT striker in the 65th minute, sending him on for Eliesse Ben Seghir.

With the scoreline 3-0 at the time, Balogun could have just gone through the motions, but his effort quite literally made Monaco’s fourth goal.

A spell of pressure put Metz into a bad spot, with goalkeeper Alexandre Oukidja receiving a pass as Monaco pushed numbers forward in the 76th minute.

Balogun’s hard running did the rest, allowing him to block Oukidja’s ill-advised attempt to chop the ball back from where it came, with the ball caroming off the USMNT man and over the line.

Perhaps stung through the embarrassing nature of that goal, Metz replied with two goals in short order. However, before Monaco had to truly sweat, Balogun struck again, sweeping home after Thilo Kehrer’s flick-on caught Metz out on a corner kick.

The double takes Balogun up to eight goals in 25 total appearances this season for Monaco, to go along with five assists.

Watch Balogun’s brace for Monaco

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The Americans Abroad Five: Christian Pulisic is having fun

The USMNT star has finally found a team where he’s put in the best position to succeed

Christian Pulisic hasn’t exactly hidden that he was sort of miserable at the end of his time at Chelsea.

Even while he was still a Chelsea player this summer, Pulisic wasn’t afraid to say he had been recently finding it difficult to simply enjoy the game.

A few months later, the 25-year-old is, per his own words, “having fun” again. Leaving the ongoing disaster that is Chelsea certainly helped, but Pulisic needed to find the right destination as well.

That is exactly what AC Milan appears to be, at least a couple months into the U.S. national team star’s time with the Italian side.

In Italy, Pulisic has found what was so glaringly absent for much of his time at Chelsea: a coach who fully believes in him, makes him one of the focal points of his game plan, and plays him in a position where he can be most effective.

It’s safe to say the following scene probably would never have happened with the revolving door of managers Pulisic played under at Stamford Bridge:

This week’s Five leads off with Pulisic’s hot start turning into a more sustained run of form with the Rossoneri.

Balogun responds to penalty nightmare with ruthless goal vs. Marseille

It only took one game for the USMNT forward to bounce back from a brutal outing against Nice

After a brutal game that saw him miss not one, but two penalties, Folarin Balogun produced an ideal response.

The Monaco forward bounced back from last week’s nightmare by scoring in the first half against Marseille on Saturday, leveling the score at 2-2 in just the 23rd minute at Stade Louis II.

Maghnes Akliouche received a pass and quickly found Balogun streaking in behind the Marseiile backline. From there, the USMNT forward was ruthlessly efficient, taking just two touches before slamming an overpowering low strike that beat Pau López at his near post.

It was Balogun’s second goal in four Ligue 1 games so far this season.

Akliouche would end up as the difference-maker on the night, scoring Monaco’s other two goals as the principality side won 3-2 to move into first place in Ligue 1, at least before Sunday’s game between high-flyers Brest and Nice.

The goal was a perfect way for Balogun to put the heartbreak of last week’s 1-0 defeat to Nice behind him.

Playing in his first-ever Derby de la Côte d’Azur, the 22-year-old saw penalties on either side of halftime saved by Nice goalkeeper Marcin Bułka.

After the game, Monaco manager Adi Hütter backed the summer arrival from Arsenal, saying: “Sometimes this is football in the end. We have to help him and we will.

“In the end, we have good conversations and positive communication. In the future, he will help us a lot.”

It only took a week for Balogun to prove his manager right.

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The Americans Abroad Five: Musah emerges at AC Milan

The USMNT midfielder just had the best week of his early AC Milan career

We’ve talked quite a bit about Christian Pulisic’s strong start at AC Milan, but now another offseason USMNT addition is making his move with the Rossoneri.

Yunus Musah just had the best week of his early Milan career, turning in a strong cameo in a midweek draw against Newcastle before making his first start for Milan in Saturday’s 1-0 win against Hellas Verona.

Now in his fourth full season of first-team soccer, it’s easy to forget Musah is still only 20. The midfielder still has rough edges to smooth out, but it looks like he’ll have plenty of chances to do so while learning on the job with Milan this season.

This week’s Five kicks off with an encouraging week for the USMNT midfielder.

Balogun has a day to forget, missing two penalties for Monaco in 1-0 loss vs. Nice

It could have gone worse for Balogun on Friday, but not by much

Folarin Balogun will want to forget his first-ever Derby de la Côte d’Azur.

The U.S. men’s national team striker was denied on two penalty kick attempts, a disappointment compounded as Nice pounced with a stoppage-time winner to claim a 1-0 victory at Stade Louis II.

Balogun got the nod for Monaco, starting for the first time since a €40 million summer move from Arsenal, but had two spot kicks saved by Nice goalkeeper Marcin Bułka. Unfortunately for the USMNT striker, it was truly a day to forget.

Bułka denied Balogun for the first time in the 12th minute. Aleksandr Golovin was clipped after racing in behind the Nice defense, but Balogun couldn’t fool the Polish goalkeeper.

In the second half, the situation was only marginally different. Takumi Minamino won the penalty this time, but once again Balogun shot low and to Bułka’s right. This time Balogun offered more power, but Bułka was still quick enough to get down and block the shot.

Monaco’s suffering was compounded seconds into stoppage time, when Jeremie Boga curled home a stunning winner.

Monaco boss Hütter backs Balogun

On the plus side, Monaco manager Adi Hütter told reporters after the match that he still believes in Balogun.

“He was unlucky today, but we win together and we lose together. We have to help him a lot because he is frustrated too,” Hütter said. “He wanted to score the second penalty, but sometimes this is football in the end. We have to help him and we will.

“In the end, we have good conversations and positive communication. In the future, he will help us a lot. He is a young striker. This evening isn’t one of his best, but as I said, we win together, we lose together.”

Still, Balogun made some unwelcome history, becoming the first player in Ligue 1 to miss multiple penalties in a single game since Toifilou Maoulida did the same for Auxerre in 2007.

In his time in France, Balogun has missed three of his nine penalty attempts, with the other miss also coming against Nice last season while he was on loan with Reims.

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The Americans Abroad Five: Weston McKennie won’t go away quietly

From an afterthought just a couple months ago, McKennie is once again integral at Juventus

Weston McKennie admits he wasn’t exactly welcomed back to Juventus with open arms.

The midfielder left the club in January at the height of the Plusvalenza scandal, then proceeded to turn in a disappointing loan spell at Leeds. When he returned, there were reports Juventus was looking to offload him.

“You’re a starting player for one of the biggest clubs in the world, and you decide to leave [that] club at a time of crisis, you know?” McKennie said on Tim Ream’s The American Dream podcast last week. “It’s pretty natural. I came back and I felt like nobody really cared.”

From an afterthought just a couple months ago, McKennie has once again made himself integral to the Bianconeri. 

McKennie’s resurgence has come at a position he’ll admit isn’t his preferred spot on the field, but he has nevertheless shown that reports of his Juventus demise appear to have been greatly exaggerated.

We’ll kick off this week’s Five with McKennie’s breakout display on Saturday.

USMNT striker Balogun scores first Monaco goal in Lorient draw

Balo is off the mark in just his second appearance for the principality club

Folarin Balogun is off the mark at Monaco.

The U.S. men’s national team striker came off the bench in the second half against FC Lorient on Sunday and within three minutes, he gave his new team the lead.

Balogun’s goal made it 2-1 in the 69th minute and appeared like it would give the principality side all three points.

But with virtually the last kick of the game, Romain Faivre equalized to earn the home side a 2-2 draw.

Monaco still remained in first place in Ligue 1 with the result, having taken three wins and two draws from its first five league matches.

For Balogun, who arrived last month in a €40 million transfer from Arsenal, it was an encouraging start to life with his new side. The 22-year-old was prolific on loan at Reims last season, and he appears set to continue his goalscoring ways in Ligue 1.

Aleksandr Golovin found the USMNT forward in the box, and Balogun did well to quickly turn away from his man and crack a left-footed shot that beat Yvon Mvogo at his near post.

It was just the second Monaco appearance for Balogun, both of which have come of the bench.

Balogun has now scored in two straight games in all competitions, though, as he found the net with the USMNT in Tuesday’s comprehensive 4-0 win over Oman.

Watch Balogun’s first Monaco goal

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Berhalter talks USMNT strikers after Balogun, Pepi both score in Oman rout

Berhalter has to be liking what he’s seeing as both No. 9s were on the scoresheet

The U.S. men’s national team could have the sort of “good” problem that every team in the world wants: multiple in-form strikers.

Tuesday’s comprehensive 4-0 win over Oman saw Folarin Balogun open the scoring after 13 minutes, while Ricardo Pepi snuck a 79th minute effort into the bottom corner to give the USMNT its third goal on the night.

Balogun now has two goals in his four USMNT caps, while Pepi scored in both of the team’s games in this window. This comes right after the duo secured moves to better situations at club level that both bear some similarities.

Balogun was one of the best strikers in Ligue 1 last year, which encouraged Monaco to put up €40-plus million to seal an August transfer from Arsenal. Pepi, meanwhile, joined PSV in an €11 million transfer after the 20-year-old impressed on loan in the Eredivisie last season with strugglers Groningen.

With both players settling in at their new clubs and having success with the USMNT, it was no surprise that head coach Gregg Berhalter took multiple questions about the two options in this camp at the No. 9 position.

“You always want your forwards scoring goals. Our job as teammates and as coaches is to put them in a position to score goals,” Berhalter told reporters in a post-match press conference. “It’s important that they both scored. As far as we see the competition, it’s twofold, right? It’s what they do for their clubs each and every week, and what they do for us when they’re in camp.”

Focusing on Pepi first, Berhalter didn’t particularly even focus on the goal, instead citing his play in pressing situations and a near-assist in the game’s final minutes.

“I thought from a pressing standpoint, Ricardo did a great job,” said Berhalter. “It’s really good to see him playing full of confidence. That move he had, and the pass to Weston [late in the match] would have been a fantastic goal. All you really want is your players to be confident, and Ricardo certainly is.”

Asked about Balogun later in the press conference, Berhalter said that he feels the USMNT’s other players are only just starting to figure out where to look for the former Arsenal man.

“I think we’re still trying to figure out the best way to utilize Balo, because we know he’s high quality,” explained Berhalter. “He made a number of good runs behind the back line today that we didn’t pick up on, so he’s still integrating that side of it. And for us, it’s again, all we want to do is put the forwards in position where they can score goals.”

Berhalter expanded a bit on how his system is designed to create the kinds of chances that Balogun (and Pepi) tend to do well at converting. “That’s our game. That’s our game model. That’s how we play: to get our forwards chances, we need to get low balls in the penalty box. We need them to attack in space between the center backs, runs behind the backline, all those things will help create chances for them.”

With October friendlies against Germany and Ghana looking like a more stern test for the USMNT, Berhalter will be hoping that both players maintain or even improve on the confidence and finishing form they’ve shown of late.

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USMNT star Balogun says Henry influenced his decision to join Monaco

The 22-year-old striker left Arsenal to join the Ligue 1 side in a reported €40 million deal

Folarin Balogun has said France legend Thierry Henry helped convince him to choose Monaco as his new club.

Balogun completed a transfer to the Ligue 1 side on Wednesday, joining in a reported €40 million move from Arsenal.

The U.S. national team striker starred on loan with Reims last season, scoring 21 goals in Ligue 1 to send his transfer stock soaring.

Speaking at his introductory press conference on Thursday, Balogun said he had been in touch with Henry, who began his professional career with Monaco before eventually becoming a legendary figure at Arsenal.

“When I played against Monaco with Stade de Reims last season, he sent me a message to congratulate me on my goal,” Balogun said of Henry.

“He was just telling me about the the club, the history, he also said the city is very nice. That put the thought in my mind, and over time it became more clear that this is the next step for me and the step I wanted to make.

“Yesterday, after my signature, he congratulated me again, I am very happy to have his encouragement.”

Unlike Henry, Balogun did not get the chance to establish himself as a regular during his time with the Gunners. The 22-year-old played just 10 games with Arsenal, and took in a loan spell at Middlesbrough before his time at Reims.

Balogun said that despite his lack of opportunities with his boyhood club, he left Arsenal without any hard feelings.

“As a young player, I want to play,” he said. “I want to prove what I’m capable of. What’s done is done. You don’t always get the opportunity. Sometimes that opens door to new opportunities. I am happy with the way things turned out. I wish Arsenal all the best for the season. We’re looking to achieve great things at Monaco this season.”

Balogun could make his debut for Monaco on Saturday in a league match against Lens.

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USMNT’s Balogun departs Arsenal, joins Monaco in €40m-plus transfer

It’s good bye Arsenal, bonjour Monaco for Balogun

U.S. men’s national team striker Folarin Balogun is heading back to France.

The 22-year-old has sealed a move to Monaco, with the Ligue 1 club confirming a permanent transfer for the (now former) Arsenal forward on Wednesday. Terms were not announced, but reports have valued the deal as somewhere north of €40 million.

A report from Fabrizio Romano on Wednesday said that Arsenal will maintain a sell-on clause for the USMNT man for nearly 20% of a future sale.

“I think it’s a fabulous move for him,” USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter told reporters on Wednesday. “He’s familiar with the French league. He’s already performed at a really high level with a French team and now he’s going to a bigger club in the French league. I think it’s a really strong move.

“We expect him to be able to score goals, continue to score goals, like he’s done. Having met him and spoke to him, he’s a really humble guy who’s focused on the process and and continuing to improve, and he sees this as the next step for him on his way as he climbs the ladder in European soccer.”

Balogun’s return to Ligue 1 looks like very good news for him and the USMNT, and very bad news for teams in France not named AS Monaco, who overcame strong interest from Inter.

Last season, Arsenal sent Balogun out on loan to an unfancied Reims side due to a backlog of strikers in north London. Balogun responded with 22 goals in 39 appearances, including over 46% of the team’s 45 league goals. Balogun finished the season in fifth in the Ligue 1 goalscoring table.

Balogun won’t just walk into the team once he arrives at Stade Louis-II. Manager Adi Hütter has so far played out of a 3-4-2-1 formation this season, and Monaco’s lone striker has been its captain, Wissam Ben Yedder.

The 32-year-old has four goals in three games thus far in Monaco’s 2023-24 campaign, scoring at least once in all three of the club’s Ligue 1 matches. Furthermore, Monaco’s attack is firing on all cylinders at the moment, producing at least three goals in each of those games.

Ben Yedder can play underneath a striker as well. With Switzerland target man Breel Embolo going down with an ACL injury early in the club’s preseason, the big transfer fee is a clear statement that Monaco will be expecting Balogun to deliver the goods.

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