There's also the fact that Balogun isn't lighting the world on fire for a mid-table French team. Somebody has to start for the USMNT. I'm still starting Balogun due to Pepi's lengthy goal drought with the USMNT and injury situation in club soccer. Its totally up in the air, though.
Should work out nicely ... Starters 3 Group stage matches (playing) - Balogun R32 | R16 (pressing) - Pepi QF | SF | Final (praying) - Big Pat With some rotation along the way ...
In November of 2024.............................against a really poor Jamaica squad. I doubt there's a team in the top 20 of the FIFA rankings with a worse forward situation. We've got the forward situation of a team that will lose in the Round of 16 against a team in the top 20 of the FIFA rankings. That's just the reality we're living in with reasonable expectations.
Related to my post above, as an exercise, I think it would be useful to construct a roster with a series of lineups in mind, from an 'All-Offensive Team' v Paraguay, which might include luxury players like Reyna and Ream, to an 'All-Defensive Team' v Spain (France/Argentina/Top 5 opponent), now with the more defensive choice at every position. Imagine a lineup ladder, subbing in a more defensive player (or two) at each stage.
Absence through injury isn't a 'drought'. Balogun's TM value is 22 million euro PSV just turned down 38 million euro for Pepi. As for Agyemang, Crystal Palace are reportedly monitoring him as a potential replacement if Jean-Philippe Mateta departs, with a valuation around 23 million euro reported in Jan 2026 We're fine at striker however one wants to measure.
Balogun's ability to make runs behind the defense is something no one else in our pool has demonstrated. His timing is fantastic. It's not just on the counter; it's especially helpful in Pochettino's system because it's made to create those secondary break opportunities out of the build up. His return to health in inclusion to the lineup just as we suddenly were effective offensively was not a coincidence. He really was and is a game changer for us. Maybe Pepi can do the same, but I don't think he has the same feel for those runs -- Balogun is just really good at that. I don't think Poch or really any coach would elevate Pepi over someone who is so clearly making a material difference without him proving that out. And I like Pepi. He's got a lot going for him. But Balogun's value to the offense is proven.
I wonder if Poch already has a strong inclination on who he’s going to bring? Or if he will be evaluating till the very end.
I bet at the moment a few players could be off the bus but I doubt any (many?) will get on this late unless a lot of injuries.
The big names he hasn't had a chance to evaluate in game play are Kevin Paredes and Noahkai Banks. Other than those two, the roster is likely fairly locked in at this point. Not a big name, but maybe Gavin Beavers will make run. Keeper is open.
I don't think Balogun is a great finisher, he's underperformed his XG pretty consistently throughout his career IIRC, and he doesn't really pass the eye test in front of goal. He's noticeably improved in his link up and hold up play over the years and his movement has always been special.
His last two starts were over a year ago. You are right that Pepi doesn't really have a goal drought with the US. But also, Pepi's barely played for the US -- because of injury, but it's still relevant -- for over a year.
It's relevant, I agree, but less than his actual record. He's scored pretty consistently in every competition he's been in except for an overmatched Augsburg team. None of his injuries are anywhere close to insurmountable.
Not sure I see it with either Banks or Paredes at this point from what I have seen of them lately, (I watched Paredes start last week). Hopefully they both get called in next month.
I would say that Paredes has zero chance given the circumstances ... but I think there's got to be some real concern about Jedi. He's got plenty of time to recover before the summer ... but if this is not just a longer than average recovery or rustiness that's keeping him on the bench ... ... LB becomes real thin.
It does, and I am concerned too. I like the idea of Paredes more than the reality at this point. I think Arfsten is better going forward and probably not a huge difference defensively, but a moot point because he has not been involved. I think if Jedi doesn't recover Poch ultimately will play a midfielder at left wingback. But that ultimately would likely force Pulisic to stay high and wide.
Banks deserves a look. He's played 90 min in 7 of 9 games since the start of December, missed one due to yellow card suspension and played 45 min in another. He's getting better and better. In 12-18 months, the US backline 3 will be Banks, C Richards and Freeman - all 6'2" and taller, all strong in-the-box presences and great athletes. I wish they had another year to play together.
Paredes has been quality when fit. Given Jedi's fitness concerns, Paredes could easily put himself in the frame. LB is not thin at all with Dest, Lund, Jedi, Arfsten, and Paredes able to excel there.
If Freeman is stuck at CB they better be smart and let him attack if there's tons of room. His mazy run and goal against Uruguay is not what CB's are able to do.
Attn Poch The Cardoso Paradox: Why One of La Liga’s Elite Interceptors is Stuck on the USMNT Bubble Meet Noahkai Banks, 19, the outside pick to make USMNT's World Cup squad
Johnny may get a call next month just because he should be among the top 26 players for the USMNT right now. The reality is that he's not, because he's been injured a lot and when he has played he hasn't been nearly as good as he was with Betis (6.63 average this year vs 7.07 last year). He's only been rated better than his last season's average 3 times this season. I spent a little time this morning looking at Banks' ratings--specifically Kicker ratings. He's sitting on a 3.59 rating for the season, good enough for 3rd-best among the 6 defenders who've taken most of the minutes for Augsburg. For comparison's sake, Joe Scally is sitting on a 3.81 for the year (and Gio Reyna on a miserable 4.40) and James Sands is on 3.88.