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Folarin Balogun

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Background 

Primary Position: Striker
Secondary Position: Left-Winger
Club: Middlesbrough on loan from Arsenal 
Loan Contract Expires: May 31, 2022
Arsenal Contract Expires: June 30, 2025
Height: 5-10
Age: 21
Market Value: 4.4M

Folarin Balogun is eligible to play for England, Nigeria and the United States. He was born in New York City, NY. Flo is an Arsenal Academy product through and through. He has been in the Gunner’s project since 2011 and has made his way up through the system. He’s technically still contracted by the U23 reserve team, but has made some appearances for the first team this year. He was loaned in January 2022 to Championship side, Middlesbrough, after proving to be beyond the U23 level, but not quite ready for premier league competition. The Championship has proven to be the right level for his development at this time. 

Senior Club History

2022
Middlesbrough (The Championship, England 2nd Tier)
12 appearances / 1 goals / 2 assists

2020 – 2021
Arsenal (Premier League, England 1st Tier)
10 appearances / 2 goals / 1 assists

International 

Flo has represented England 19 times across the U17, U18, U20 and U21 levels with his most recent appearance in an International Friendly on November 16, 2021. 

He has also represented the USA at the U18 level in a set of friendlies in August of 2018. 

It’s been reported recently that Folarin is now strongly considering switching his affiliation to the US. This news comes as a bit of a surprise as most have thought that he’d wait until we were closer to World Cup 2026 before making a permanent decision. It’s possible that Gregg is pitching him hard given the current uncertainty at the USMNT striker position. 

Scouting Report

Physical Profile (75 / 100)

Flo is an undersized striker that profiles better in a two-striker system or out on the wing. He’s not a true target #9 that is going to win a lot of balls in the air (16.7% win rate this season) or succeed in hold up play. In fact, his hold up play is very concerning. I don’t think it’s a lack of strength, but more of a technical flaw, which we’ll touch on next. 

I do think there is room for him to get stronger, it would help him be a little more ball secure, in duels and it would help him gain leverage and positioning in the box. 

His strengths as an athlete are his quickness and speed. He’s very explosive and has good change of direction ability which helps him beat players 1v1, evade defenders in the box, and serves as an asset in the press. 

Technical Profile (75 / 100)

There are aspects of Flo’s game that are very skillful and technical and there are areas that have a lot of room for growth. Let’s start with the positives. Flo has shown some really brilliant moments attacking players 1v1 and executing very creative and technical passes to set up his teammates. His one touch passing can be very, very good at times. 

Check this out:

https://twitter.com/bhavss14/status/1492543066514890752?s=20&t=wHLs4SVymc0HVHa-5l3-NQ

 

The two areas that need development are his striking ability, both with his head and his feet and his ability to secure the ball in hold up play. I think that both are footwork issues. The good news is that he gets himself in really good positions, the bad news is that his striking can be erratic at times. I have seen many high quality looks go astray. The concerning thing is that it’s not a matter of not finding the right place on goal, but a matter of too often missing the target. 

The hold up play issue is potentially fixable. His technique is all out of whack. He needs to establish position and leverage on the defender earlier and stop letting the ball get so close into his feet before his first touch. These two things happen way too often which leads to way too many turnovers. That is reflected in his very low ground duel win rate. 

Cerebral Profile (80 / 100)

Flo shows signs of being a really intelligent footballer. One of his traits that pops out to me when I watch him is his constant movement in and around the box. He frequently finds pockets of space in dangerous areas. I am tempted to say he’s more of a winger than a striker, but his movement and passing ability is really intriguing, especially in Gregg Berhalter’s system. 

From a tenacity and effort perspective, I don’t see anything out of this world like Aaronson, Sargent and Arriola, but there is nothing to be concerned about. He is willing in the press, he works hard off of the ball and shows signs of toughness. 

I love his creativity and bravery to try things. He’s a quick thinker, and as mentioned above, he’ll do some things with the ball that are very impressive. 

https://twitter.com/ArsenalN7/status/1473235568523976704?s=20&t=wHLs4SVymc0HVHa-5l3-NQ

https://twitter.com/TheSecretScout_/status/1444022081985949708?s=20&t=wHLs4SVymc0HVHa-5l3-NQ

 

Statistical Breakdown 

I don’t have access to the same type of comparative data from FB Ref for Championship players, so I’ve gone a different route in exploring the data. Here are some key metrics from his senior team minutes with Arsenal and Middlesbrough this year:  

Goals/90: 0.12
xGoals/90: 0.22
Shots/90: 2.3
Shots on target success rate: 45%
Assists/90: 0.23
Dribbles success rate: 53.2%
Ground duel success rate: 30.5%
Aerial duel success rate: 16.7%

Statistical Comparison vs other USMNT Strikers

As always, remember that you need to take into account the level of the club, level of competition and the role the player is being asked to play. 

Jesus Ferreira in 2021

Goals/90: 0.3
xGoals/90: 0.22
Shots/90: 2.1
Shots on target success rate: 42.9%
Assists/90: 0.3
Dribbles success rate: 53.7%
Ground duel success rate: 47.4%
Aerial duel success rate: 7.7%

Ricardo Pepi in 2021

Goals/90: 0.57
xGoals/90: 0.38
Shots/90: 2.55
Shots on target success rate: 51.4%
Assists/90: 0.11
Dribbles success rate: 44.4%
Ground duel success rate: 33.8%
Aerial duel success rate: 22.6%

Jordan Pefok in 2021/2022

Goals/90: 0.65
xGoals/90: 0.57
Shots/90: 2.77
Shots on target success rate: 39.8%
Assists/90: 0.08
Dribbles success rate: 33.3%
Ground duel success rate: 39.3%
Aerial duel success rate: 53.3%

Gyasi Zardes in 2021
Goals/90: 0.5
xGoals/90: 0.35
Shots/90: 1.84
Shots on target success rate: 56.3%
Assists/90: 0.04
Dribbles success rate: 33.3%
Ground duel success rate: 37.5%
Aerial duel success rate: 45.1%

Josh Sargent in 2021/2022

Goals/90: 0.39
xGoals/90: 0.24
Shots/90: 1.84
Shots on target success rate: 38.3%
Assists/90: 0.04
Dribbles success rate: 52.4%
Ground duel success rate: 42.7%
Aerial duel success rate: 42.9%

Data Analysis

Flo is the least prolific goal scorer compared to the other striker’s data in the most recent seasons, but he’s faced the toughest competition between the Premier League and The Championship. He’s on the lower end of expected goals as well. 

His shots per 90 are solid in comparison with the others and his shots on target % is much better than what I would have expected. I am probably holding on to a couple of big chances that were missed, and over dramatizing a perceived striking issue. 

As I expected, he has better passing and dribbling stats than most, aside from Jesus Ferreira. He has the lowest ground duel win rate, which speaks to his challenges in hold up play and aside from Jesus, he is the least effective in the air. 

USMNT System Fit

Folarin Balogun profiles similarly to Jesus Ferreira and I think that is why Gregg is pursuing him aggressively. Jesus is the type of striker that Gregg wants in his quest to disorganize and breakdown defenses. 

Flo is a player that you want in a game where you are going to be pressing, counter-pressing and holding a lot of possession. He has the ability to find spaces and find teammates in good positions. His creativity would be a huge asset in breaking down low blocks. 

He is not a striker that would be effective in a more direct system that relies on aerial service into the box. He is not a target striker.

He can also play on the wing and I think his style of play fits well with what Gregg asks of wingers. That versatility is a huge value when building squads.

USMNT STRIKER OUTLOOK

It’s no secret, the striker position is the biggest question mark in the USMNT pool. There are a lot of guys in the metaphorical hat and none of them have taken hold of the job. Flo would be another player to throw in the hat that fits what Gregg wants to do. 

CONCLUSION

I really didn’t think we’d have an opportunity to switch Balogun for a couple of years, but maybe Gregg is pitching a big opportunity and Balogun is buying it. It likely helps to see the success and appreciation that other English-Americans are having (Jedi Robinson, Yunus Musah). And let’s be real, he’s a long ways away from cracking the Three Lions senior team. 

My take, the more lottery tickets the better, especially at striker. He’s very talented, he just has limited experience with senior teams and struggles, like most young players do, to deliver consistent performances. 

I really like his fit in our current system and I would love to see him with USMNT this summer at the Nations League group matches. That would be a great setting to get to know the staff, the players and a lower risk competition to get integrated and acclimated. 

Club News

The constructing of a World Cup roster

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Thomas Deschaine (@uskeeper on X and us_keeper on Instagram)

With the September FIFA window now in the rearview mirror, and only three more windows left before final rosters are set in late May or early June 2026, Mauricio Pochettino has drawn a clear line.

He’s stated that September’s camp was the “last camp to have the possibility for new faces.”

If we take him at his word, the nearly 70 players who’ve been called across six camps and the Gold Cup will form the pool from which he selects the 2026 World Cup squad.

Of the 60 players named to the 2025 Gold Cup provisional roster, only five, Maxi Dietz, Richie Ledezma, Tim Tillman, Caleb Wiley, and Griffin Yow, have yet to appear on a #USMNT roster under Pochettino.

Comparing the 2025 Nations League provisional roster to the Gold Cup list reveals over a dozen different players, raising the question: are these minor differences simply the edges of the player pool Pochettino intends to draw from?

Goalkeepers 

Nine goalkeepers have been called into Pochettino’s camps, but it’s clear that Matt Freese is his first-choice right now, with Matt Turner likely the No. 2 as we sit just 10 months from the World Cup.

  • Chris Brady
  • Drake Callender
  • Roman Celentano
  • Matt Freese
  • Ethan Horvath
  • Jonathan Klinsmann
  • Diego Kochen
  • Patrick Schulte
  • Zack Steffen
  • Matt Turner

Fullbacks

Outside of Sergiño Dest and Antonee Robinson, the USMNT’s fullback depth remains a concern. Pochettino appears high on MLS defenders Alex Freeman and Max Arfsten, while Caleb Wiley, though yet to feature in a USMNT camp but named to recent provisional rosters, could still be on his depth chart.

  • Max Arfsten
  • Sergino Dest
  • Alex Freeman
  • Marlon Fossey
  • DeJuan Jones
  • Kristoffer Lund
  • Shaquell Moore
  • Antonee Robinson
  • Joe Scally
  • John Tolkin

Centerbacks

Center back remains another position with uncertain depth. Chris Richards and the veteran Tim Ream look like locks for now, leaving three spots up for grabs. If Pochettino opts for a back three, that tactical shift could influence which players ultimately make the cut. Notably, Jackson Ragen and Maxi Dietz are the only center backs from the recent provisional rosters who haven’t been called into a USMNT camp.

  • Noahkai Banks
  • Tristan Blackmon
  • George Campbell
  • Cameron Carter-Vickers
  • Mark McKenzie
  • Tim Ream
  • Chris Richards
  • Miles Robinson
  • Auston Trusty
  • Walker Zimmerman

Central Midfielders

The central midfield position is the deepest for the #USMNT, with many players in the pool capable of also playing fullback, center back, or winger. Although Richie Ledezma has primarily played as a right back and right wing-back for his current club and for PSV last season, USMNT coaches view him primarily as a midfielder. This likely explains why he hasn’t yet been called into a USMNT camp.

  • Tyler Adams
  • Sebastian Berhalter
  • Gianluca Busio
  • Johnny Cardoso
  • Ben Cremaschi
  • Luca de la Torre
  • Emeka Eneli
  • Jack McGlynn
  • Weston McKennie
  • Aidan Morris
  • Yunus Musah
  • Tanner Tessmann
  • Sean Zawadzki

Attacking Midfielders

There are several players at this position who could add real quality and play pivotal roles for the #USMNT at next summer’s World Cup. Gio Reyna remains a major question mark, but his talent is undeniable. With his recent club change, there’s hope he can return to the high level of form we’ve seen from him in the past.

  • Brenden Aaronson
  • Paxten Aaronson
  • Brian Gutiérrez
  • Djordje Mihailovic
  • Matko Miljevic
  • Gio Reyna
  • Malik Tillman

Wingers

The winger position remains thin for the #USMNT, though several players there can also slot in as attacking midfielders, strikers, or even fullback. Notably, two young wingers, Cole Campbell and Griffin Yow, appeared on provisional rosters but have yet to be called into any Pochettino camp.

  • Cade Cowell
  • Diego Luna
  • Christian Pulisic
  • Quinn Sullivan
  • Indiana Vassilev
  • Tim Weah
  • Haji Wright
  • Alejandro Zendejas

Strikers

Another area of concern for the USMNT is striker depth. While the top options have all produced well for their clubs when healthy, injuries have kept the pool thin. If everyone is fit, the primary competition for the starting role likely comes down to three players: Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, and Josh Sargent. Haji Wright and Tim Weah can also step in as center-forward options if needed.

  • Patrick Agyemang
  • Folarin Balogun
  • Damion Downs
  • Jesus Ferreira
  • Ricardo Pepi
  • Josh Sargent
  • Brandon Vazquez
  • Brian White

Conclusion

It’s tough to read Pochettino’s mindset right now. Many expect fewer MLS players to be called for the October window, partly because the league continues through FIFA dates and the regular season ends mid-October.

Most World Cup rosters largely select themselves, with only a few surprising omissions, think of the 1994 squad, which left out several players many felt deserved a spot.

But with Pochettino still showing a shaky grasp of the USMNT player pool, this cycle could produce more notable snubs than ever, though there’s still time for him to get it right.

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Launching Caring Excellence in Northern Kentucky

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  • Caring for Villa Hills, Fort Thomas, Union, Florence, Crestview Hills and Northern Kentucky


Over the past few years, I’ve written here at Chasing A Cup about family, faith, leadership, and walking through life with intention. Some of you have been reading since the early days. Some of you prayed for my family. Some of you even rolled up your sleeves and gave blood — blood that was meant for my mom and others like her in their time of need.

I’ll never forget that.

Three years ago, my mom passed away. It was a season of heartbreak, but also one of clarity. As I stood beside my family — and as I supported others in our community grieving their own parents — I came to understand how deeply care matters. Not just in hospitals or emergencies, but in the everyday: the quiet, complicated, deeply human moments that make up the final chapters of someone’s life.

That realization stayed with me. And over time, it changed the direction of my work.

For most of my career, I worked in product management — building teams, delivering systems, and leading with structure and strategy. I still believe in all of that. But I also wanted to build something more personal. Something rooted not just in outcomes, but in presence and compassion.

That’s why Sarah and I decided to open a Caring Excellence office in Northern Kentucky.

Caring Excellence has been serving families across Kentucky for over 13 years. It’s a family-owned, fully licensed home care agency that specializes in non-medical, in-home support for seniors and adults — help with daily living, memory care, companionship, and more. And now, we’re proud to bring that same level of compassionate, character-driven care to Florence and the surrounding region.

Our new Northern Kentucky office serves families in places like Villa Hills, Union, Fort Thomas, Crestview Hills, and Florence — communities filled with multi-generational households, strong family ties, and seniors who deserve to age with dignity.

At Caring Excellence, we focus on people first. We don’t just fill schedules — we carefully match caregivers to clients based on personality, needs, and values. Sarah leads our caregiver hiring, drawing from her years of experience as both a caregiver and healthcare professional. She looks not just for skill, but for heart — people of integrity, empathy, and real compassion.

As for me, I now use my business background to support the team behind the scenes — building systems, developing processes, and making sure our caregivers have the tools and training they need to serve others well.

This new venture is deeply personal. It’s also missional. It’s about stepping into people’s lives when they need support most and offering something simple, but powerful: peace of mind.

We’re not moving to Florence, but we’re fully committed to this region. We’re investing in it — by hiring local caregivers, building relationships with local providers, and offering families home care in Northern Kentucky a trusted option for high-quality home care.

To those of you who’ve been on this journey with me — through writing, through prayer, through donating blood when we needed it most — thank you. I hope this new chapter reflects what we’ve always believed in here: that service matters, character counts, and small acts of care can ripple further than we think.

If you know someone in Northern Kentucky who needs support — in Union, Villa Hills, Crestview Hills, Fort Thomas, or Florence — we’d be honored to walk alongside them.

Thanks for reading, and for being part of the story.

—Marcus


Learn More
To learn more about Caring Excellence and our in-home care services for Northern Kentucky families, visit:
https://caringexcellenceathome.com/northern-kentucky-office


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Concacaf Gold Cup is becoming tarnished

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Thomas Deschaine (@uskeeper on X and us_keeper on Instagram)

Not long ago, winning your confederation’s tournament earned a spot in the FIFA Confederations Cup, a prestigious competition held in the World Cup host nation the summer before the world’s biggest tournament.

The tournament featured the champions of all six confederations (AFC, CAF, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, OFC, and UEFA), along with the reigning FIFA World Cup winner and the host nation, rounding out the field to eight teams. The tournament was last played in 2017.

The Concacaf Gold Cup is a semi-cycle tournament played in the first and third years of the cycle. The CAF Africa Cup of Nations is the only other confederation that plays two tournaments a cycle, and in many circles, the frequency of the Concacaf Gold Cup and the addition of the Concacaf Nations League has made the Gold Cup a throwaway tournament for the USMNT, as it’s been six years since the so called A list player pool has played in the event.

It raises the question for FIFA and Concacaf: should the Gold Cup be played once a cycle, and should FIFA consider bringing back the Confederations Cup?

The USMNT won the inaugural Gold Cup in 1991 and has claimed seven of the 17 editions since. Only two other CONCACAF nations Mexico (9) and Canada (1)—have lifted the trophy, and both are contenders in this edition.

The USMNT has a strong track record at the Gold Cup, finishing first in their group every year except 2011. They’ve reached 12 finals, with a record of 69 wins, 12 draws, and 9 losses, scoring 189 goals and conceding just 60


Gold Cup Player Stats

Across 17 editions of the Gold Cup, the USMNT has netted 189 goals, conceded just 60, and recorded 50 clean sheets. Here’s a look at the players who made it happen, those who found the back of the net, and those who kept it out.

Goals


18-Landon Donovan
13-Clint Dempsey
9-Eric Wynalda
8-Brian McBride
7-Jesus Ferreira

Assists


16-Landon Donovan
7-Michael Bradley
6-DaMarcus Beasley
6-Alejandro Bedoya
6-Eric Wynalda
5-Clint Dempsey

Wins


17-Kasey Keller
11-Tim Howard
8-Tony Meola
7-Matt Turner

Shutouts


14-Kasey Keller
8-Tim Howard
6-Tony Meola
6-Matt Turner

Captain

10-Michael Bradley
10-Kasey Keller
9-Carlos Bocanegra
8-Tony Meola
7-Claudio Reyna

Gold Cup Manager Stats

Over the past 34 years, the USMNT has reached 12 of the 17 Gold Cup finals under the leadership of seven different managers. Here’s a look at how each of them performed.

Matches Coached


25-Bruce Arena
18-Bob Bradley
12-Gregg Berhalter
12-Jurgen Klinsmann
10-Bora Milutinovic
8-Steve Sampson
5-B.J. Callaghan

Matches Won


19-Bruce Arena – GF-52-, GA-14
14-Bob Bradley – GF-34, GA-17
11-Gregg Berhalter – GF-26, GA-3
9-Jurgen Klinsmann – GF-32, GA-9
8-Bora Milutinovic – GF-15, GA-8
6-Steve Sampson – GF-14, GA-5
2-B.J. Callaghan – GF-16, GA-4

Gold Cup Trophies


3-Bruce Arena
1-Gregg Berhalter
1-Bob Bradley
1-Jurgen Klinsmann
1-Bora Milutinovic

Conclusion

In the future, U.S. Soccer and the USMNT should clearly communicate roster expectations for the Gold Cup, especially if a full A-list squad is not planned. Transparency on this front is essential, as it directly affects fan interest and attendance.

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