Folarin Balogun Bolsters USMNT for September Friendlies
The forward Folarin Balogun has been called up to the United States men’s national team for the September friendly matches against South Korea and Japan. The AS Monaco attacker will join the team for the first time in a year.
Balogun was the last addition to the list of those called up after coach Mauricio Pochettino announced a group of 22 players on Tuesday. The United States Soccer Federation reported that a position would be filled later.
Vancouver Whitecaps forward Brian White will miss the match due to a hamstring injury suffered against St. Louis City on Saturday.
Balogun, when fit, has been a regular starter in the center forward position, accumulating 17 matches and scoring five goals since his debut in 2023.Balogun hasn’t featured since Pochettino took over last year due to a series of injury problems.
The 24-year-old player was sidelined for a large part of last season due to a shoulder injury. Although he returned to Monaco before the end of the campaign, he had to withdraw from the United States Gold Cup squad this summer due to an ankle injury.
Balogun debuted this season on Sunday in Monaco’s 1-0 defeat to Lille in Ligue 1.
The United States will face South Korea on September 6 in Harrison, New Jersey, followed by the match against Japan three days later in Columbus, Ohio.
