Folarin Balogun scores and is man of the match for USMNT!
He’s off to a perfect start in his Monegasque career… on international duty! After coming on at the end of the match in the win against Lens (3-0), just before the international break, Folarin Balogun shone again with Team USA. After starting and playing 45 minutes against Uzbekistan on Saturday (in a 3-0 win), the new Rouge et Blanc striker led the line on Wednesday against Oman.
Balogun, mister 50%!
And the Monegasque number 29 did not take long to distinguish himself, since in the 13th minute of play, it was he who reacted to a shot by Sergiño Dest which had been blocked by the opposing goalkeeper. He then finished from close range to open the scoring (1-0)! It was his second goal already with the United States, after one he scored in the final of the Concacaf Nations League last June against Canada.
. @balogun with the opener in Minnesota 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/AEKnxy9giJ
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) September 13, 2023
A well-deserved Man of the Match
Very involved in the Americans’ attack front, the former Reims player then gave way at half-time to his compatriot Ricardo Pepi, who was also a scorer in a big victory (4-0). As the icing on the cake, Folarin Balogun, who was making his 4th appearance here (2 goals), was elected man of the match, confirming the impact he had at the start of the game.
Opening the scoring tonight, @balogun is YOUR @BudLight Man of the Match 🍻 pic.twitter.com/qKYpbbNUtB
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) September 13, 2023
All of this is a good omen before his return to the Principality and Ligue 1 action in Lorient this Sunday (1 p.m.). Daghe Balo! 🇺🇸
*Photo: Icon Sport
📋 USMNT results:
🇺🇸 Folarin Balogun – USA
Friendly: USA 3-0 Uzbekistan (starter, plays 45 minutes) Saturday, September 9 at 23:30 (City Park, Saint Louis, Missouri)
Friendly: USA 4-0 Oman (starter, plays 45 minutes, scores once) Wednesday, September 13 at 2:30 (Allianz Field, Saint Paul, Minnesota)