Folarin Balogun joins a mostly young striker corps in the USMNT giving interim head coach Anthony Hudson plenty of possibilities to forge successful attacking lineups in the coming Nations League and Gold Cup campaigns this summer.
Balogun brings the hope that finally, the USMNT has found a prolific goalscorer to helm its attack. But with his youth, and lack of time with the team, these results might only come after lineup experimentation is conducted and associations are formed on the pitch.
At Reims he’s been lethal on the left in a modified 4-3-3 that has seen him benefit from the association with Alexis Flips playing just behind Balogun and Junya Ito.
Here are some potential ways that he could be used by the USMNT...
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On the left
If interim coach Anthony Hudson wants to throw his kitchen sink of youthful forwards at his opponents, he could consider Cade Cowell playing the role of middle attacker hanging back to Balogun on the left and Jesús Ferreira on the right.
It should be fun to see if he interpolates the notion of a false nine as these eager players iron out the creases of toning down their individual play for the greater good.
Kellyn Acosta, Yunus Musah, Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie could provide solid midfield support in transition.
Potential lineup
Jesús Ferreira (RW) - Cade Cowell (CF) - Folarin Balogun (LW)
As a number 9
Say Balogun wins the coveted number 9 and things switch to a 4-2-3-1. The U.S. has no shortage of reliable midfielders and wingers that could assist the striker and benefit for his prowess at drawing defense away and feeding assists to his teammates.
Potential lineups
Jordan Morris (RW) – Christian Pulisic (CAM) – Brenden Aaronson (LW)
Folarin Balogun (ST)
Giovanni Reyna (RW) – Cade Cowell (CAM) – Yunus Musah (LW)
Folarin Balogun (ST)
Partnering with Jesús Ferreira
The best case – attack-wise – that can happen is a symbiotic relationship between Balogun and Ferreira develops. Both youngsters are putting in serious work at their clubs and have that appetite for goal that distinguishes bona fide strikers from run-of-the-mill forwards.
In this scenario, they will need a reliable backbone to operate from that will give them freedom to attack creatively and secure offensive and defensive protocols in transition.
Potential lineup
Giovanni Reyna (LW) – Christian Pulisic (CAM) – Weston McKennie (RW)
Folarin Balogun (CF) – Jesús Ferreira (R)
This article was originally published on 90min as How the USMNT could line up with Folarin Balogun.
