Folarin Balogun, Cristian Roldan Impactful in September USMNT Camp
AS Monaco striker Folarin Balogun, Seattle Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan both featured in the starting XI in the USMNT’s 2-0 win over Japan on Sept. 9
Folarin Balogun said during the first days of September’s training camp with the U.S. Men’s National Team that he wanted to make his mark, and the AS Monaco striker concluded the team’s two-match slate with a strong, thrilling exclamation point.
Balogun was one of two goal scorers in the USMNT’s shutout win over Japan on Sept. 9. In just his second cap under head coach Mauricio Pochettino, Balogun became the 17th player to score under the manager, who recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of his appointment as USMNT head coach.
The striker was one of the last two players named to the September roster, along with Seattle Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan. Balogun was the 23rd player named in addition to the rostered 22 initially announced. Roldan was added after the start of camp.
The pair appeared in both matches, subbing on in the first against Korea Republic on Sept. 6 and earning the start in the 2-0 win over Japan three days later. For Balogun, the matches were his first appearances since a series of injuries prevented him from joining the U.S. in previous camps.
His first camp under Pochettino proved to be a positive introduction.
“On a personal level, meeting the new staff and being around the boys again was important for me,” Balogun said. “I'm just happy to be back in the jersey, playing in front of the home crowd. That was what I wanted to feel again. I missed that feeling, so I was happy I was able to do that.”
Balogun displayed why he’s a dynamic threat inside the box and around goal throughout the friendlies. Against Korea, Balogun came off the bench in the 62nd minute and made an instant impact in the attack, recording four shot attempts, three on target. His 11 touches inside Korea’s box were the most by any USMNT substitute since 2010 and, according to Opta, only striker Ricardo Pepi has recorded more shots on target off the bench for the U.S. in that same time span.
In the second match of the window against Japan in Columbus, Ohio, Balogun converted one of his chances. Forward Christian Pulisic located the striker making a run and fed him with a well-timed through ball. Balogun finished with a firm strike from a tight angle to bring his international total to six goals in 19 career appearances.
Balogun was heavily involved in the first chances for the U.S. against Japan. He had a close-range shot blocked in the 18th minute after combining nicely with Pulisic in a crowded box. In the lead-up to the team’s opening goal, Balogun kept the ball alive inside the box, drawing Japanese defenders, and laid off a pass to Roldan. Seconds later, the United States swung the ball wide to Arfsten for the setup on the Zendejas volley.
“What I noticed most about Balo that is really good for the team is that he gives an out a lot of the times,” said Pulisic. “Whether it's coming into pockets and laying the ball off, or little runs in behind, he relieves the team when we're under pressure. He gives that out. Also, when I turn, I look for him. He's making short runs across the backline.”
Roldan, the other late addition to camp, was named to the roster on Sept. 3, just three days before the first game of the window against Korea Republic in Harrison, New Jersey. Two years since his previous USMNT appearance, the news came as a surprise to Roldan, who reportedly was on vacation in Washington when he got the call, according to the Athletic. But he embraced the opportunity without hesitation.
“Absolutely. I’ll drop anything I’m doing, and I’ll head over there,” Roldan said when he got the call.
Like Balogun, Roldan saw minutes against Korea, entering the match in the 62nd minute. Pochettino cited the team’s second-half performance against Korea as a bright spot, a dominant half for the United States filled with attacking chances that the team could build from moving forward. Roldan’s presence in the midfield in the second half propelled him into the starting XI against Japan on Sept. 9.
“Matching ourselves up against the very best is important for the experience for the guys heading into the World Cup,” Roldan said.
Off the field, Roldan brought experience and a winning attitude to the group. The 30-year-old entered the two friendlies with 37 National Team appearances under his belt, making him the fifth-most capped player in camp. On Aug. 31, he helped lead the Seattle Sounders to the Leagues Cup trophy over Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami CF, which marked an incredible ninth championship for Seattle.
When asked what one of the highlights was of his camp, besides contributing an assist to Balogun’s goal, Pulisic mentioned getting to work with Roldan.
“Getting to see some new guys, getting to bond with some old players, even seeing Roldan again, it's so cool for me. I thought he was great today as well,” Pulisic said.