No longer the ‘new guy’! Folarin Balogun ready to ‘change games’ for USMNT at Copa America after shaking rookie tag

The 22-year-old Monaco striker is already up and running at that competition after finding the target in a tournament-opening 2-0 victory over Bolivia. Balogun made the most of his opportunity to start that game, with replacement Ricardo Pepi spurning several chances after joining the fray in the 65th minute.

Balogun, who switched international allegiance from England in order to represent the United States, now has 13 caps and four goals to his name – with the ex-Arsenal star shaking his rookie tag. He has said of making a decisive contribution: “I don't really feel like the new guy anymore. I feel like me personally, I need to enter that transition into being somebody that can be relied on, somebody that's consistent, somebody that changes games. So yeah, I mean, I don't think you can achieve that being a new guy. So I feel confident in this group and everybody's helped me to feel that way.”

Balogun is delighted to be off the mark at a major tournament, with confidence flowing through his game. He added: “I think it allows me to build momentum. It's always nice coming into a tournament, and in your first game scoring as well. So I always look to build momentum and to add more to my tally.”

The USMNT will be back in action on Thursday when taking on Panama at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Balogun – who endured a tough debut campaign at Ligue 1 side Monaco in 2023-24 – will be hoping to have done enough to retain his place in Gregg Berhalter’s starting XI for that contest.