Balogun Eager to Earn Starting Role With USMNT But Faces Competition

Folarin Balogun won an international recruiting battle with England to play for the USMNT.
Balogun is not assuming he will start in the upcoming CONCACAF Nations League semifinal against Mexico.
Balogun is competing for minutes with Ricardo Pepi, who has been a regular for the USMNT since 2021.
Historically, it is rare for any newcomer to start in their USMNT debut.
Balogun is focused on earning his place and developing chemistry with his teammates.