In four matches at the 2022 World Cup, Gregg Berhalter started three different center forwards. Haji Wright was the only one of the three to score – a mere consolation goal in a 3-1 defeat to the Netherlands in the round of 16. The US men’s national team’s dearth of quality options at the No 9 position was exposed for the world to see.
Folarin Balogun’s decision in May to play for the US over England and Nigeria considerably changed this landscape. Widely considered one of the world’s best young strikers, the Arsenal academy graduate has started the USMNT’s last six matches. Berhalter is building around Balogun.
