Folarin Balogun set to make his senior USA debut after being named in Nations League squad

Folarin Balogun looks set to make his debut for the USA in the CONCACAF Nations League after officially being named in the squad for the competition on Thursday.

The New York-born striker, who starred on loan from Arsenal at Reims this season, was also eligible to represent England and Nigeria but committed to the Stars and Stripes on May 16.

Balogun is expected to compete for the starting No. 9 spot after a season in which he reached 20 goals in Ligue 1. 

Balogun’s filed his one-time switch to the USA after appearing for England at the U-17, U-18, U-20, and U-21 levels. He also appeared for the USA at the U-18 level, and decided to represent the country of his birth after getting snubbed by England.

‘My decision to represent the United States came together with my family,’ he said in a statement after the switch became official.

US Soccer officially announced Balogun’s decision on May 16

‘In the end it became a no-brainer, but for sure it’s just something I wanted to do and it feels like I’m at home here.

‘To represent the United States means a lot, more than people would know. I’m very proud and honored to have this opportunity, and I want to give everything I have to make our team successful.’

There are no huge surprises elsewhere in the squad as every other outfield player selected has been capped at the senior international level by the USMNT.

Inter Miami goalie Drake Callender and Maccabi Haifa goalie Josh Cohen, though, could make their USA debuts after being called into the squad.

Their inclusion comes as Zack Steffen had knee surgery to clean out meniscus damage and will be out three-to-four months. 

41-year-old B.J. Callaghan is now the interim head coach of the USA men’s national team

Also absent in the squad is captain Tyler Adams, who was ruled out for the rest of Leeds United’s season in May with a hamstring issue.

His club teammate Brenden Aaronson is in the 24-man squad, however, and so too are other England-based players like Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Antonee Robinson (Fulham) and Auston Trusty (Birmingham City). 

The USA will face Mexico in the semifinals of the competition on June 15. 

The team will be led in the Nations League (and Gold Cup) by new interim head coach B.J. Callaghan, who was appointed this week following the departure of previous caretaker Anthony Hudson.

The Gold Cup will begin on June 24, though it’s expected a drastically different squad will be selected for that competition.