USMNT forward Folarin Balogun scores first goal of season for Monaco

After weeks of waiting, USMNT forward Folarin Balogun is finally off the mark for Monaco. In the 70th minute, the he received the ball at the top of the box, and stroked a tidy effort past a wrong-footed goalkeeper to give his side a comfortable 3-1 lead. It was his first goal contribution of the campaign.

Balogun has struggled at points this season. The departure of long-time striker Wissam Ben Yedder seemed set to offer the USMNT man more chances, but he has failed to capitalize of late. He will hope that it kicks off a good run of form, with new U.S. men's national team manager Mauricio Pochettino sure to be watching ahead of the October camp.

Balogun's goal might have come at the right time for his national team prospects, as USMNT teammates Josh Sargent, Haji Wright and Ricardo Pepi were all held scoreless this weekend.

The No. 9 will hope to make another start as the Ligue 1 leaders take on last-placed Montpellier in the league next Saturday. After that, attention turns to Champions League matchday two, where Balogun could make his second ever appearance in the competition.