Folarin Balogun's switch to the USMNT has been welcomed by one of his new teammates ahead of a crucial CONCACAF Nations League semi-final.
The Arsenal academy graduate experienced something of a breakout season during a successful loan spell at Ligue 1 side Stade de Reims last term, with the 21-year-old bagging 22 goals in France. Naturally, after such an impressive campaign, speculation over his international future gathered pace, with the forward eligible to represent three nations.
Although the forward prospect was born in Brooklyn, he grew up primarily in England and has Nigerian parentage. To complicate matters further, Balogun had represented both the US and England at youth level, leaving him with a major decision to make over where his loyalties would ultimately lie.
However, it was his birth country that eventually won the tug of war, with FIFA approving a one-time switch to the USMNT in May, with the marksman having represented England's U-21s as recently as last year. With the saga now concluded, Balogun has received his first call-up to the USMNT senior squad for the CONCACAF Nations League finals.
It is possible that the youngster will make his debut under interim coach B.J. Callaghan against Mexico on June 16 and it is clear that his new teammates are relishing the opportunity to line-up alongside the emerging star. Fellow forward Ricardo Pepi could well partner Balogun for the crunch tie, with the 20-year-old excited by the prospect.
The 14-time international told Fox Sports that he sees playing alongside the Gunners talent as a chance to improve his own game, saying: "It’s going to make me better, I’m going to make him better. He’s a good guy and on the pitch, we’re a team."
The Texan attacker suffered the disappointment on missing out on a place in the squad for Qatar last year but his form last season certainly demonstrated his own promise. He scored 13 times in 31 appearances at Dutch side Groningen — former club of Luis Suarez and Arjen Robben, no less — while out on loan from Augsburg.
Both players will likely benefit from the fact that World Cup attackers Jesus Ferreira, Josh Sargent and Haji Wright are all absent from the latest squad. Of course, with competition for places in the USMNT roster fierce, Pepi does admit that Balogun's arrival has upped the stakes.
He added: "We’re always trying to compete against each other. A lot of players here have competition in their own spots. Whether we play with one striker or two, it’s all up to the coach.”
