Tag: Lorient

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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