The striker has been named as the 23rd member of the team, adding to the firepower up top
Balogun added to squadRoster now at 23 playersUSMNT to face South Korea and JapanFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱AFPWHAT HAPPENED?
Monaco striker Folarin Balogun has been added to the U.S. men's national team's 23-man roster to face South Korea and Japan, U.S. Soccer announced on Wednesday.
Mauricio Pochettino's squad was announced on Tuesday, save for one final addition following an injury to Vancouver Whitecaps forward Brian White. That addition, as it turned out, was Balogun, who will join the team seeking his first cap under the USMNT boss. Balogun had previously missed matches due to injury, but will now join Josh Sargent and Damion Downs as striker options for the two upcoming friendlies.
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Balogun’s return means there's now a real battle at the striker position in September's camp. With PSV's Ricardo Pepi left out of the squad as he completes his return from injury, Sargent looked set to have a much-needed chance up top as he looks to end his extended USMNT goal drought. That chance seemed to be coming at the perfect time, too, as Sargent has scored four in four to open the season for Norwich.
Now, Balogun's return makes things interesting. Fresh off his own injury layoff after missing much of last season, his fitness remains a question mark. Still, like Sargent, he’ll be eager to prove he can cement a spot as one of the team’s go-to strikers heading into the World Cup.
In addition to Balogun and Sargent, both of whom weren't at the Gold Cup, the squad features several other returnees in the attack. Christian Pulisic is back on the wing, as is Tim Weah. Alejandro Zendejas, too, is in camp for the first time since the fall.
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Balogun, who has five goals in 17 appearances for the USMNT, made his first start of the season for Monaco this past weekend in a 1-0 loss to Lille.
Getty Images SportUPDATED U.S. ROSTER FOR SEPTEMBER FRIENDLIES
ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (3): Roman Celentano (FC Cincinnati; 0/0), Matt Freese (New York City FC; 7/0), Jonathan Klinsmann (Cesena/ITA; 0/0)
DEFENDERS (8): Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew; 10/1), Noahkai Banks (FC Augsburg/GER; 0/0), Tristan Blackmon (Vancouver Whitecaps/CAN; 0/0), Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 33/2), Alex Freeman (Orlando City; 7/0), Nathan Harriel (Philadelphia Union; 1/0), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC; 74/1), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace/ENG; 31/3)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Tyler Adams (Bournemouth/ENG; 50/2), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps/CAN; 6/0), Luca de la Torre (San Diego FC; 31/1), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake; 12/3), Jack McGlynn (Houston Dynamo; 11/2), Sean Zawadzki (Columbus Crew; 1/0)
FORWARDS (6): Folarin Balogun (AS Monaco/FRA; 17/5), Damion Downs (Southampton/ENG; 5/0), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan/ITA; 78/32) Josh Sargent (Norwich/ENG; 28/5), Tim Weah (Marseille/FRA; 44/7), Alex Zendejas (Club América/MEX; 11/1)