Folarin Balogun Shines in U.S. World Cup Opener
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Folarin Balogun stepped up to the podium, his face lighting up with a broad smile as he addressed the gathered media.
It truly was a dream night, he remarked, a sentiment that echoed among teammates and fans alike. On Friday, Balogun scored two goals during the U.S. men’s national team’s 4-1 victory against Paraguay in their World Cup opener, justifying the years of effort behind bringing him from England to the U.S. national squad.
Born in Brooklyn and raised in London from the age of one, Balogun held dual citizenship and played for youth teams in both countries. His call-up to the England Under-21 squad in 2001 led many to anticipate his long-term commitment to the Three Lions.
However, in 2023, Balogun made a surprising decision to represent the United States for the remainder of his international career. This move was monumental for the U.S. not only for adding a crucial scoring threat but also for successfully courting a player with ties to soccer’s elite ranks.
Balogun cited the overwhelming support from fans as a significant factor in his decision, expressing a desire to be a key player on such a prominent stage. Fast forward three years, and Balogun has already made a name for himself, accomplishing his objective in just one World Cup game.
“The fans have given me so much motivation. Their support has been incredible,” he shared after the match. “For me, it’s always been about giving back, and today was a perfect opportunity to show everyone I made the right choice.”
In the seventh minute of the match, following an own goal from Paraguay, Balogun increased the American lead with a stunning one-timer into the bottom right corner, courtesy of a precise pass from Christian Pulisic. Just before halftime, Balogun struck again, skillfully maneuvering past defenders to fire a shot past the goalkeeper, extending the lead to 3-0 and igniting chants of “USA, USA” from the crowd.
Entering the game as a substitute in the 71st minute, Balogun received a standing ovation, a testament to his achievement as the first American to score multiple goals in a World Cup match since 1930. “There’s really nothing more to say. The kid is incredible,” Pulisic remarked about Balogun’s debut. “He’s lethal in front of goal, and we’re fortunate to have him on our side. Let’s hope he keeps it going.”
Pulisic also noted that Balogun contributed beyond just scoring. “While everyone will highlight the goals, it’s his battle against defenders, his ball control, and his ability to draw fouls that stand out,” he explained.
Balogun wasn’t alone in shining; Pulisic had an extraordinary night, skillfully evading defenders and creating opportunities, while Gio Reyna capped the victory with a magnificent goal in the 79th minute.
New U.S. men’s national team manager Mauricio Pochettino praised the collective effort, referring to the team as “fantastic.” Pulisic added, “This was a wonderful start, but we have a lot more to accomplish.”
The U.S. team is set to travel to Seattle next Friday for a matchup against Australia before returning to Los Angeles to face Turkey. The top two teams from their group will advance to the final tournament.
After the historic debut, Balogun pondered his plans for downtime. “Honestly, I think I’ll probably just watch a little Netflix,” he replied, displaying the lightheartedness and perspective that accompanies such a milestone.
