Folarin Balogun is the USMNT’s focal point, whether he’s getting touches or not

<p>The Monaco striker’s impact on the US attack will vary depending on how the team builds up, and where that buildup happens</p><p><strong>• </strong><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/20/sign-up-for-soccer-with-jonathan-wilson-his-free-weekly-newsletter-on-european-soccer"><strong>Free newsletter</strong></a><strong> | </strong><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/series/footballweekly"><strong>Daily podcast</strong></a><strong> | </strong><a href="https://app.adjust.com/1o65wsyj"><strong>Download our app</strong></a></p><p>Some strikers are gregarious personalities who ensure attention even when they struggle. Folarin Balogun prefers to speak softly and maintain a healthy goalscoring record. The 24-year-old has still been making himself known to his country of birth – he was born in New York but raised in London – after <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/may/16/folarin-balogun-united-states-usmnt-england-arsenal">committing to the US over England and Nigeria</a>. This past season, he finished fourth in Ligue 1 scoring with 13 goals, priming him for an emergent World Cup on home soil.</p><p>Balogun’s recruitment was closely monitored by US fans, desperate for a dependable goalscorer.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/10/folarin-balogun-usmnt-world-cup">Continue reading...</a>