INGLEWOOD, Calif.— Folarin Balogun stood at the podium and flashed a bright smile.
Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.“It’s a dreamy night,” he said to the dozens of news media looking on.Teammates and fans would say that, too.
Friday’s performance — two goals in the U.S.men’s national team’s 4-1 World Cup opener win against Paraguay — solidified why the program spent years working to sway him from signing with England.Balogun was born in Brooklyn but moved to London when he was only one month old.
He spent his entire childhood in the U.K.and, as a dual citizen, played on national youth teams for both countries.
In 2001 he was called up to the England under-21 squad, leading many to believe he would join “The Three Lions” long term.But in 2023 Balogun stunned many by agreeing to join the U.S.
for the remainder of his international career.It was a monumental result for the Americans, who not only added a desperately-needed scoring threat but also beat out one of the world’s soccer powers for his services.
At the time, Balogun cited the incredible love fans showed him leading up to his choice and the thought of being a focal point for the Americans on the biggest stage.Three years (and only one World Cup game) later, he’s already accomplished just that.“I’ve always said the fans gave me so much motivation.
They showed me so much support,” he said postgame.“For me, the most important thing has always been to repay that.
Today is a great opportunity, and I just want to show the fans I made the right decision.”After an own-goal by Paraguay put the U.S.up 1-0 in the seventh minute on Friday, Balogun extended the lead on a beautiful one-timer in the bottom right of the net from a Christian Pulisic pass.
Moments before halftime, Balogun struck again.He was fed the ball just outside the box, gained control, juked one defender and side stepped another before drill...