\n
IRVINE, Calif. (AP) \u2014 Folarin Balogun chose to play for the United States precisely because of the opportunity he’s about to get in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n
Balogun could have stayed in England, where he grew up and began his international career at Under-21 level. He also considered playing in Nigeria, his parents’ homeland.<\/p>\n
But three years ago, the goal-scoring striker chose represent the country where he was born<\/span> And Balogun, 24, is likely to be a key player for the USA team at their home World Cup, rather than being left behind Harry Kane and Ollie Watkins at the Three Lions.<\/p>\n“I feel like my personal journey has come a little bit full circle heading into the World Cup,” Balogun said on this week’s show. US training base in Orange County, California<\/span>. “The opportunity to represent my country in front of a home crowd, especially now with the World Cup, will be special for me, my family, my friends and the team. I’m definitely looking forward to it and am very proud.”<\/p>\nBalogun’s decision was a coup for the United States, not only because of his elite skills (he scored 19 goals for Ligue 1 side Monaco this season), but also because Balogun fulfilled a job that American teams have historically failed to do.<\/p>\n
Ever since the United States began qualifying for the World Cup nearly 40 years ago, one major problem has hindered the nation’s further progress. That means you can’t win because you don’t have enough points.<\/p>\n
A country full of world-class athletes in all areas of sport struggles to consistently produce soccer scorers, especially elite strikers who generate goals, excitement and wins.<\/p>\n
At the Qatar World Cup four years ago, the United States scored three goals in four games, and only one of those goals came from a striker. This is a generational issue. In the past eight World Cups since 1990, the Americans have scored just 28 goals in 30 games.<\/p>\n
But the forward, who will likely be at the front of America’s formation this month, is eager to prove he can change things by starting Friday night’s America opener against Paraguay.<\/p>\n
With Balogun Fellow striker Ricardo Pepi<\/span> Both players are clearly qualified to play for European clubs, with Pepi heading into the World Cup in good form after a 19-goal season with PSV Eindhoven.<\/p>\nHaji Wright, from Los Angeles, scored America’s lone striker’s goal in Qatar, even if only by chance, and has continued to improve since then, scoring 18 goals during Coventry’s promotion to the Premier League last season.<\/p>\n
“I think this is a great opportunity to play in front of my country,” said Pepi, who wears the number 9 shirt. \u201cPressure aside, we see this as an opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n
Of course, the United States doesn’t need to rely solely on its strikers for scoring. Even though forward Christian Pulisic is still likely the most talented attack-minded player in a U.S. uniform. His recently ended scoring drought<\/span>Weston McKennie regularly contributes to the attack for club and country.<\/p>\n“I feel like we’re even deeper now,” midfielder Gio Reyna said. “We have a very deep team. We feel like we can be very dangerous in all areas of attack: build-up, transitions, keeping the ball inside the opponent’s half. I think we are more complete now.”<\/p>\n
However, a productive striker is essential to any hope of lasting success in the sport, and all three of America’s leading players are eager to build on their international success.<\/p>\n
Pepi has played in 37 games and scored 13 goals for the United States, while Wright has played in 20 games and has seven goals, including the only World Cup experience among the group.<\/p>\n
“Being here with my family and friends makes (this World Cup) feel bigger in some ways,” Wright said. “It puts a little bit more pressure on us, but I think that’s a good thing. It forces us to perform in ways that we probably didn’t realize we were capable of.”<\/p>\n
Balogun has scored nine goals in 27 games since joining the program, including a goal against Paraguay last November.<\/p>\n
Balogun is the deck’s most attractive option, scoring in a friendly against the U.S. national team. Victory over Senegal<\/span> 2 weeks ago. U.S. captain and defender Tim Ream said Balogun was probably the “most annoying” U.S. forward to defend in practice.<\/p>\n\u201cHe moves so fast,\u201d Ream said. “He’s physical and he just seems to run through people. He can hold onto the ball and get others involved in the play. His movement behind him, his positioning, and getting himself into positions to score goals is something we’ve been craving for a long time. He brings that.”<\/p>\n
___<\/p>\n
AP World Cup: https:\/\/apnews.com\/fifa-world-cup<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
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