Carlos Gonzalez/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF
The United States men’s national team has a fight against the striker.
Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi scored for the USMNT in a comfortable 4-0 win over Oman on Tuesday night.
US Men’s National Soccer Team @USMNT
. @balogun with the opener in Minnesota 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/AEKnxy9giJ
US Men’s National Soccer Team @USMNT
🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂 pic.twitter.com/PTS6GQ0TxB
Oman also gave the United States a pair of goals, as Brenden Aaronson’s modest free kick somehow got off the wall and the goalkeeper before Oman’s own goal late in the contest.
US Men’s National Soccer Team @USMNT
A free kick stunner from Brenden 💫 pic.twitter.com/7ROCyeEHNV
B/R Football @brfootball
WYD goalkeeper 🫠 pic.twitter.com/IgZMbf1iUS
But the story is the rising battle between Balogun and Pepi for the No. 9 papers. It’s now two goals in four games for the Monaco man, while Pepi has found the back of the net six times in his last six appearances.
And USMNT fans on social media loved the striker’s sudden fortune after the game:
Hercules Gomez @hercules
I’ll say it again. 6 out of 6 games!
We got 9 fights.
Can’t wait until a healthy Josh Sargent is added to this equation. Nice problem if you are #USMNT https://t.co/8CqFGO5HJT
American Hooligans 🇺🇸⚽️ @AmericanHoolis
Pepi and Balogun are both in form and challenging each other to get better, leading to two strong striker options for the USMNT 🇺🇸
wasted @svintfc
Pepi and Balogun go goal for goal #USMNT 😂🤣 pic.twitter.com/MtJU2bzNqs
ChuckMe92 Soccer @ChuckMe92Soccer
It should be said for Pepi that he is 20. He can even play in the U20 World Cup if he wants to.
Not saying that Balogun isn’t #1 or that Pepi will hit 20+ in a Top 5 League soon, we’re just very lucky with both. Sargent should be with the A-squad too with his versatility
all @Dhaneye
Btw it seems like every time Balogun scores, Pepi responds and when Pepi scores, Balogun responds. It looks like the two are getting together. #USMNT
For years, it felt like the United States was looking for a reliable and clinical No. 9. Players like Jozy Altidore, Chris Wondolowski and Gyasi Zardes haven’t scratched the itch, and the position is an ongoing concern after last winter’s Worlds. cup
Pepi fell out of favor before Qatar and Balogun did not pledge his allegiance to the country at that point, leaving players like Josh Sargent and Haji Wright to handle the position. They combined for one goal in four games.
Balogun (22) and Pepi (19) offer more promise. Granted, context still matters — Oman isn’t a top contender, and the United States may need to push more goals down the line.
But the United States now has a pair of intriguing strikers available who appear locked in a battle for the starting role. Paired with talent on the wings and in the midfield, the future looks bright for this group.
