Folarin Balogun scores in Nations League final to win lift first trophy with USA

Folarin Balogun in action for USMNT || Imago

Folarin Balogun scores in Nations League final to win lift first trophy with USA

Ayoola Kelechi 07:34 - 19.06.2023

Former Super Eagles hopeful Folarin Balogun has won his first trophy with the USA after helping them to victory in the CONCACAF Nations League with a goal in the final

Arsenal loan star Folarin Balogun scored his first goal for the USA in only his second appearance with his new national team, helping them to a second consecutive CONCACAF Nations League triumph. 

Balogun wins first trophy with USA

Balogun scored the second goal of the game in a 2-0 win over Canada in the Nations League final to lift his first trophy with the Stars and Stripes after only his second match, justifying his decision to switch international allegiance just over a month ago.

var widgetLoaderConfig = widgetLoaderConfig || { CDN_URL: 'https://widgets.sportal365.com', APP_LINK: 'desktop', API_URL: 'https://africa.football.api.sportal365.com/', API_KEY: '2f852b4de2f3a5cf3188e74b33087bb4:2c18422f8e826a7d11aeed52edb2449e', LANG: 'en', REQUEST_INTERVAL: 30, ENABLE_BET_SLIP: false, AUTHOR: false, THEME: "light", TOURNAMENT_ORDER: "pulse_nigeria", LINK_OPTIONS_V2: { 'player' : { 'url': '/football/player/{playerId}' }, 'team' : { 'url': '/football/{teamId}' }, 'tournament': { 'url': '/football/competition/{tournamentId}' }, 'match': { 'url' : '/football/match/{matchId}', 'sort': { 'criteria': 'alphabetically', 'direction': 'asc' } }, 'configuration': { 'newWindow': false }, 'standings_tournament': { 'url': '/football/competition/{tournamentId}/standings' } } }; if (!document.querySelector('script[src="https://widgets.sportal365.com/loader.bundle.min.js"]')) { window.setTimeout(function () { let scriptCss = document.createElement('link'); scriptCss.href = 'https://www.pulsesports.co.ke/css/sport-widgets.css?v=1668785443'; scriptCss.rel = 'stylesheet'; scriptCss.type = 'text/css'; document.body.appendChild(scriptCss); let scriptTag = document.createElement('script'); scriptTag.src = 'https://widgets.sportal365.com/loader.bundle.min.js'; scriptTag.defer = true; scriptTag.onload = function () { window.setTimeout(function () { new SMPWidgetsLoader(widgetLoaderConfig); }, 200); }; document.head.appendChild(scriptTag); }, 0); } else { new SMPWidgetsLoader(widgetLoaderConfig); }

The American forward played 76 minutes of the final against Canada and was superb on the night, scoring with a brilliant right-footed drive from inside the 18-yard box before being replaced later in the game by Ricardo Pepi. 

The Reims star has now capped a brilliant personal season with cup success, becoming part of the USA’s historic feat, which has now seen them win both editions of the CONCACAF Nations League after beating Mexico in the final of the 2021 tournament. 

Balogun enjoying early days with USA national team

The former Three Lions of England hopeful now appears settled in his new environment with the national team that he also represented at under-18 level, continuing his fine goalscoring form from the 2022/23 Ligue 1 season. 

Balogun broke the all-time record for the most Ligue 1 goals by a Reims player in a single campaign after scoring 21 goals in 37 games for Les Rouges et Blancs in the league alone. 

var widgetLoaderConfig = widgetLoaderConfig || { CDN_URL: 'https://widgets.sportal365.com', APP_LINK: 'desktop', API_URL: 'https://africa.football.api.sportal365.com/', API_KEY: '2f852b4de2f3a5cf3188e74b33087bb4:2c18422f8e826a7d11aeed52edb2449e', LANG: 'en', REQUEST_INTERVAL: 30, ENABLE_BET_SLIP: false, AUTHOR: false, THEME: "light", TOURNAMENT_ORDER: "pulse_nigeria", LINK_OPTIONS_V2: { 'player' : { 'url': '/football/player/{playerId}' }, 'team' : { 'url': '/football/{teamId}' }, 'tournament': { 'url': '/football/competition/{tournamentId}' }, 'match': { 'url' : '/football/match/{matchId}', 'sort': { 'criteria': 'alphabetically', 'direction': 'asc' } }, 'configuration': { 'newWindow': false }, 'standings_tournament': { 'url': '/football/competition/{tournamentId}/standings' } } }; if (!document.querySelector('script[src="https://widgets.sportal365.com/loader.bundle.min.js"]')) { window.setTimeout(function () { let scriptCss = document.createElement('link'); scriptCss.href = 'https://www.pulsesports.co.ke/css/sport-widgets.css?v=1668785443'; scriptCss.rel = 'stylesheet'; scriptCss.type = 'text/css'; document.body.appendChild(scriptCss); let scriptTag = document.createElement('script'); scriptTag.src = 'https://widgets.sportal365.com/loader.bundle.min.js'; scriptTag.defer = true; scriptTag.onload = function () { window.setTimeout(function () { new SMPWidgetsLoader(widgetLoaderConfig); }, 200); }; document.head.appendChild(scriptTag); }, 0); } else { new SMPWidgetsLoader(widgetLoaderConfig); }

The Arsenal star has been the subject of summer transfer speculation as both Milan clubs, Inter and AC Milan, are believed to be hot on the heels of the American forward, hoping to seal a deal with the Gunners for the striker. 

After his impressive performances on loan, Arsenal have not ruled out Balogun’s sale as they appear heavy in the striker department and could see the funds raised from the player’s sale invested in other areas of the squad. 

Related content