\u201cI feel like my individual journey is a bit full circle now, approaching the World Cup,\u201d Balogun said this week at the U.S. training base in Orange County, California<\/a>. \u201cEspecially with the World Cup being here, the opportunity to represent my nation in front of a home crowd is going to be something special for me, for my family, for my friends and for the team. I\u2019m definitely looking forward to it, and very proud.\u201d<\/p>\n Balogun\u2019s decision was a coup for the U.S. because of his elite skill \u2014 he scored 19 goals for Ligue 1\u2019s Monaco this season \u2014 but also because he does a job that the American team has historically struggled to fill.<\/p>\n Forward Folarin Balogun of the United States men\u2019s national soccer team is presented during the announcement of the team roster on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in New York City, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. (AP Photo\/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)\n<\/p>\n United States forward Ricardo Pepi, top left, has a shot blocked by Senegal defender Abdoulaye Seck (4) during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Sunday, May 31, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo\/Scott Kinser)\n<\/p>\n United States\u2019 Folarin Balogun arrives with his teammates for the World Cup soccer tournament in Santa Ana, Calif., on Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo\/Caroline Brehman)\n<\/p>\n Show Caption<\/p>\n 1 of 3<\/p>\n Forward Folarin Balogun of the United States men\u2019s national soccer team is presented during the announcement of the team roster on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in New York City, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. (AP Photo\/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)\n<\/p>\n Expand<\/a><\/p>\n Ever since the U.S. began to achieve regular World Cup qualification nearly four decades ago, one big problem has prevented the Americans from making any additional progress: They can\u2019t win because they don\u2019t score enough.<\/p>\n A nation brimming with world-class athletes across the entire spectrum of sports has struggled to consistently produce soccer scorers, particularly the elite strikers who generate goals, excitement and wins.<\/p>\n The U.S. scored three goals in four matches at the Qatar World Cup four years ago, with just one coming from a striker. It\u2019s a generational issue: In their past eight World Cups since 1990, the Americans have scored a paltry 28 goals in 30 matches.<\/p>\n But the forwards likely to be at the front of the American formation this month are eager to prove they can change things, starting in the U.S. opener against Paraguay on Friday night.<\/p>\n Balogun and fellow striker Ricardo Pepi<\/a> both have solid credentials in European club play, and they\u2019re entering the World Cup in strong form, with Pepi also coming off a 19-goal season for PSV Eindhoven.<\/p>\n Haji Wright, a Los Angeles native, scored that lone striker\u2019s goal for the U.S. in Qatar \u2014 even if he maybe did it accidentally \u2014 and he has improved since then, racking up 18 goals last season while Coventry earned promotion to the Premier League.<\/p>\n \u201cWe see this as a fantastic opportunity to play in front of our country,\u201d said Pepi, who wears the No. 9 shirt. \u201cThe pressure aside, we see it more as an opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n The U.S. doesn\u2019t have to rely solely on its strikers to score, of course. Forward Christian Pulisic is still likely the most talented offense-minded player in a U.S. shirt despite his recently ended scoring drought<\/a>, while Weston McKennie regularly contributes offense for club and country.<\/p>\n \u201cI just feel like we\u2019re deeper now,\u201d midfielder Gio Reyna said. \u201cWe\u2019ve got a really, really deep squad. I feel like we can be really dangerous in all areas of attack, whether it\u2019s build-up, transition, or having the ball in the opponents\u2019 half. I think we\u2019re more complete now.\u201d<\/p>\n But productive strikers are usually vital to any hopes of sustained success in the sport \u2014 and all three of the Americans\u2019 top options are eager to build on their international success.<\/p>\n Pepi has 13 goals in 37 appearances for the U.S., while Wright has seven goals in 20 appearances, including the only World Cup experience in the group.<\/p>\n \u201cIn certain ways, (this World Cup) feels bigger, being here with our family and friends,\u201d Wright said. \u201cIt does add a little bit of additional pressure, but I think that\u2019s a good thing. It forces us to perform in ways maybe we didn\u2019t know we were capable of.\u201d<\/p>\n Balogun has scored nine goals in 27 appearances since joining the program \u2014 and he even scored a goal against Paraguay last November.<\/p>\n Balogun is the most compelling option in the deck, and he scored during the Americans\u2019 friendly victory over Senegal<\/a> two weeks ago. U.S. captain and defender Tim Ream says Balogun is probably \u201cthe most annoying\u201d American forward to defend in practice.<\/p>\n \u201cHe is so quick with his movements,\u201d Ream said. \u201cHe\u2019s physically strong and able to seemingly glide past people. He\u2019s able to hold the ball up, bringing other people into play. His movement in behind, being in position and getting himself into goal-scoring position is something that we\u2019ve been crying out for for a long time. He brings that.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Forward](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/WCup_US_Roster_Soccer_62935.jpg\"\/)
<\/p>\n![\"Forward](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Senegal_US_Soccer_39619.jpg?w=620\")
<\/p>\n![\"Folarin](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/US_WCup_Soccer_7852_.jpg?w=620\")
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