U.S. forwards Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi showcased their skills in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, finding the net at crucial moments for their clubs.
Balogun netted the decisive goal for Monaco, scoring from a sharp angle in the 43rd minute to secure a 1-0 win over Bodø/Glimt, a Norwegian team situated just north of the Arctic Circle.
Since rejoining his club after international duty in mid-October, Balogun has tallied three goals in six matches, bringing his total to four goals in 13 appearances across all competitions.
Later in the evening, Pepi came off the bench and struck a volley from 15 yards out in stoppage time, helping PSV Eindhoven earn a 1-1 draw against Olympiakos. He has scored in both of his recent Champions League outings and netted three times in four games (without starting) in the Dutch Eredivisie over the weekend, totaling five goals in 11 matches.
Both Monaco and PSV have secured five points from their four Champions League games.
Balogun, who is included in Mauricio Pochettino’s deeper roster, is expected to receive an invite to the U.S. national team’s final training camp of the year, which starts this Thursday. The squad will convene in the Philadelphia area on Monday, ahead of matches against Paraguay on November 15 and Uruguay on November 18 in Tampa, Florida.
In contrast, Pepi’s situation is less certain. Struggling with injuries since last winter, the former FC Dallas player has not been called up to the national team since last year’s CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals.
His challenge lies in limited playing time, having spent just 292 minutes in eight Eredivisie matches (with three starts) and 112 minutes in three Champions League games (one start). However, with Pochettino aiming to bolster his attacking options, Pepi’s recent performances cannot be overlooked.
In addition to Balogun, other forwards from the recent October camp included Haji Wright of Coventry City and Patrick Agyemang from Derby County. Wright (eight goals and one assist in 13 appearances) contributed to Coventry’s 3-1 victory over Sheffield United by assisting a late goal on Tuesday.
Agyemang added one goal and three assists in his 10 outings and played 68 minutes in Derby’s 2-1 triumph against Hull City.
Among other U.S. players in Tuesday’s Champions League games, Pepi’s PSV teammate, right-back Sergiño Dest, completed the full 90 minutes, while midfielder Weston McKennie did the same in Juventus’ 1-1 draw against Sporting Lisbon. Johnny Cardoso, just back from an ankle injury, did not feature in Atlético Madrid’s 3-1 win over Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise.
This news is significant for soccer fans as it highlights the growing impact of American players in top-tier European competitions, showcasing their potential at the international level. The successes of Balogun and Pepi could bolster the U.S. national team’s prospects as they prepare for upcoming matches, sparking excitement for what’s to come in American soccer.
