🇺🇸 Why the USMNT center-forward role is Folarin Balogun's to lose | OneFootball

Life is sweet for Mauricio Pochettino and the United States Men's National Team of late.

After a heartbreaking defeat to bitter rival Mexico in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final, the post-summer period has been kind to the Stars & Stripes. 

An opening 2-0 friendly loss to Son Heung-min's South Korea two months after the final had some afraid of a continued poor run of form, but the U.S. bounced back three days later to oust Asian powerhouse Japan by the same scoreline.

It's all taken off from there for Poch and company, earning a 1-1 draw against budding CONMEBOL outfit Ecuador before following that up with wins against Australia (2-1) and their latest triumph, a match-winning effort during a 2-1 win against Paraguay in Chester.

One of the key themes of the improved form shown after the summer? Folarin Balogun.

Per Opta, the Brooklyn-born center-forward is just the fifth USMNT player to post multiple streaks of four or more starts with a goal contribution in the last three decades, joining iconic national team figures Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore, and Clint Mathis.

Goals against Japan, Ecuador, and Paraguay in each of the last three international breaks lifted the 24-year-old to eight goals in 22 caps, and more impressively, the former Reims standout has been directly involved in a goal in 12 of his 18 starts, according to Opta.

On the surface, Balogun should now be the prime candidate to lead the attacking line under Pochettino next summer when the U.S. kickstart their 2026 group stage campaign at Sofi Stadium.

Questions on his form in U.S. colors are valid, given Balogun's spotty record at club level after his highly successful spell under Will Still in the northeast of France.

After smashing 21 goals in 37 appearances across his first true opportunity to lead the line for a club in a top-five league during the 2022/23 season, that success would see him leave Arsenal and head to Monaco that summer.

Since joining the principality side, Balogun has managed just 17 goals in 62 appearances in all competitions.

Balogun can be afforded a measure of grace, owing to a long-term shoulder injury he suffered last season that resulted in missing 25 matches, and it can only recently be said that he is finally at the requisite level of fitness and level of performance.

Not previously viewed as a near-guaranteed starter at Stade Louis II, the former Hale End Academy graduate has done well to work himself back into regular contention this season, appearing in the matchday XI in 10 of Monaco's 15 fixtures, including starting all four fixtures in the Champions League.

That persistence has paid off, with Balogun bagging his first-ever goal in the competition: a 43rd-minute match-winner away at Bodø/Glimt.

Four goals and two assists in 10 Ligue 1 appearances represent a solid return under Sébastien Pocognoli, and a severe drop in form by club colleague Mika Biereth could be just the tonic leading to a further increase in minutes for the U.S. international.

As Balogun - hopefully - goes from strength to strength for club and country as the 2025/26 season continues, how he profiles on the pitch should once again become abundantly clear.  

One key trait is more important than the key factor as a complete striker package, with U.S. midfielder Cristian Roldan highlighting it best last month.

“Flo has everything," Roldan said.

"He can run in behind. He can play [with his] back to goal. He has the ability to take guys on one [against] with link-up play, with his movement, with his individuality. He's got it all, really.”

"It's about getting him involved," Roldan continued.

“That is the most important thing for us when we have Flo on the field: How can we get him involved as much as possible? Because he can be the difference.”

Not only do these qualities help Balogun get into the right spaces at the right time, it offers Pochettino a tactical piece that will not seem out of place when the Argentine inevitably will have to amend his schematics next summer.

While the U.S. has done extremely well to have the lion's share of possession in each of their friendlies after the Gold Cup loss, it's unreasonable to think it will remain constant when the World Cup gets underway.

When times call for the U.S. to sit deeper and hit their opponent on the break, Balogun's intelligence on and off the ball, and pace when attacking in behind, will suit a direct approach well.

Likewise, when the U.S. dictates terms to their liking, his linkup play to connect with the likes of Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna (should he make the World Cup squad), and others, will offer new dimensions that the U.S. perhaps has lacked for some time.

If the last few months have proven anything, the United States Men's National Team look the best version of themselves when Folarin Balogun is on the pitch. And maybe, just maybe, they will surprise a few in the summer.

📸 Emilee Chinn - 2025 Getty Images