Folarin Balogun builds on USMNT momentum by scoring goal off bench in Monaco's draw with Angers

After starting the match as a substitute, Balogun was tossed into the fray in the 62nd minute. Just as notably, Takumi Minamino joined the game nine minutes later, with the two substitutes linking up for Monaco's big moment.

Minamino, who watched on as Balogun scored for the USMNT against Japan last month, teed up the striker with a perfect first-time pass, playing the American through the Angers' defense. Balogun, though, still had work to do, as he held off a defender before banking a shot off Angers goalkeeper Herve Koffi and into the back of the net to give Monaco the 1-0 lead in the 73rd minute.

Unfortunately for Monaco, they were unable to preserve that lead, with Angers earning a point thanks to an 86th-minute equalizer from Sidiki Cherif.

The goal comes as Balogun continues to assert himself as the USMNT's go-to striker. After netting last camp against Japan, Balogun scored in the USMNT's 1-1 draw with Ecuador, helping keep him in the discussion to be the No. 9 ahead of next summer's World Cup. There's competition there, particularly from Ricardo Pepi and Haji Wright, the latter of whom scored twice against Australia to put himself into that mix, but Balogun is eager to prove himself ahead of next summer's tournament.

"If I keep doing my thing, I'll be fine," Balogun told GOAL last week. "The most important thing is getting to the World Cup the right way. It's not even necessarily about the World Cup, it's about entering the tournament with the right state of mind. You need to have confidence in your output over the months building up to the World Cup throughout your season. Because of that, I'm more focused on what I can do in the present. I control what I can control going into the World Cup. That's what will make me better.

"When you score, you'll get another chance. I'm at a stage and in an industry where I know what I need to do and keep doing."

Saturday was Balogun's first game under new Monaco boss Sebastien Pocognoli, who was hired as the club's coach during the international break. He arrives after leading Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise to a league title in his home country. The arrival of Pocognoli signified a fresh start for Balogun and everyone else at Monaco as everyone looks to impress the new boss. 

At his introductory press conference, Pocognoli explained his desire to give chances to young players and, while the 24-year-old Balogun isn't exactly classified as a young player anymore, he is one player who could use this change in coach to position himself for a breakout.

"Getting your ideas across is a process," the coach said. "In the short term, you have to know how to move quickly and effectively to ensure you have medium- and long-term prospects. In any case, I wouldn’t have any problems using young players at the right time. That’s the club’s goal, and I’m proof that we can trust youth."

With the draw, Monaco now find themselves just three points back of league leaders Paris Saint-Germain. The focus now is on the Champions League, though, as Monaco face Tottenham on Wednesday after getting just one point from the club's first two European matches.