In a significant development for the U.S. Men's National Team, talented forward Folarin Balogun has been added to the roster for the upcoming September friendly matches. His inclusion comes as a replacement for Brian White, who sustained a hamstring injury. This decision provides Balogun with a crucial opportunity to integrate with the squad and demonstrate his capabilities to Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino, following a period marked by various injuries that have limited his national team appearances.
Emerging Talent Balogun Joins USMNT Ranks Ahead of Crucial Friendlies
Folarin Balogun, a dynamic forward whose potential has been keenly watched, received a call-up on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, to the U.S. Men's National Team. This strategic addition completed the 23-man squad for the forthcoming international friendly encounters against South Korea and Japan. The initial roster, primarily announced on the preceding Tuesday, saw a late adjustment due to an unforeseen injury.
The change became necessary after Brian White, a 29-year-old forward from the Vancouver Whitecaps, was sidelined. White, who had featured in seven matches for the USMNT earlier in the year, was originally slated as the 23rd player. However, a hamstring strain suffered during a 3-2 victory against St. Louis on the previous Saturday rendered him unavailable. Consequently, he will remain in Vancouver to focus on his rehabilitation.
Balogun's call-up is particularly noteworthy given his recent injury history. He had to withdraw from June's friendly fixtures and the Gold Cup due to an ankle injury and missed earlier camps under Pochettino for similar reasons. Despite these setbacks, Balogun has been consistently viewed as the nation's premier striker since his commitment in 2023 to represent his birth country in international competition, often competing with Ricardo Pepi for the starting role. He boasts an impressive record of five goals in 17 appearances for the USMNT, having played in Gregg Berhalter's final seven games in 2024 and starting both matches under interim coach Mikey Varas in September of that year.
Balogun's recent injury misfortunes include being unavailable for Pochettino's inaugural two camps in October and November 2024, missing the March 2025 Concacaf Nations League finals, and withdrawing from the June squad. Furthermore, at the commencement of the 2025-26 club season with AS Monaco in France, he suffered another ankle injury during training, leading to his absence from a preseason friendly and Monaco's Ligue 1 opener. Nevertheless, he made a full return to action, playing all 90 minutes in a recent 1-0 defeat to Lille. He is expected to join the national team squad on Monday in New Jersey, where he will train alongside fellow strikers Josh Sargent and Damion Downs.
A Promising Trajectory Amidst Challenges: The Balogun Saga Continues
The latest inclusion of Folarin Balogun in the USMNT roster for the September friendlies underscores the team's commitment to integrating its top-tier talent, even when faced with past injury challenges. From a fan's perspective, this is a moment of anticipation, as Balogun's presence could inject a renewed dynamism into the squad's attacking strategies. His journey, marked by both dazzling performances and frustrating injury spells, offers a compelling narrative about perseverance in elite sports. It prompts reflection on the delicate balance between player fitness and national team aspirations, highlighting how a single athlete's health can significantly influence squad composition and tactical approaches. This call-up not only presents Balogun with a fresh opportunity to solidify his position as the team's primary offensive weapon but also offers Coach Pochettino a chance to assess his fitness and form in a competitive environment, potentially shaping the team's future endeavors on the international stage.
