USMNT Faces Changes After Balogun’s Suspension
SEATTLE — Manager Mauricio Pochettino’s approach to coping with the absence of Folarin Balogun, who has received a one-match suspension ahead of the USMNT’s Round of 16 clash against Belgium, will hinge largely on how much he chooses to alter his entire roster.
So far, Pochettino’s tactics and preferred starting lineup have shown great success at the World Cup, notably in the round of 32 against Bosnia and Herzegovina. He also possesses alternative options that can be easily integrated.
Those options are likely to be Ricardo Pepi and Hadji Wright, with Pepi seemingly taking precedence in the lineup.
The PSV striker was a key player alongside Balogun in the attack during the match against Australia, which secured his starting position for the World Cup. Pepi has participated in every other match since the USMNT’s training camp began in late May.
In a friendly against Senegal on May 31, he played as the lone striker and displayed excellent chemistry with Christian Pulisic.
This potential substitution seems straightforward, especially given Pepi’s consistent and commendable performance.
“Honestly, his tenacity and energy were incredible,” Tyler Adams commented. “I think he had an amazing performance with the ball. Having played with Pepi quite a bit, I believe what he demonstrated was crucial for us and for our wingers, who don’t have to carry as much of the load. He holds the ball really well, and we know he can score when he’s in front of goal.”
However, if Pochettino isn’t fully satisfied with Pepi or Wright, things could become trickier.
Another option could be to utilize Pulisic as a central striker, though he struggled in that role during a friendly against Portugal in March. Alternatively, he might be placed in a two-man front line or utilized as a false nine.
Weston McKennie has also played as a striker for Juventus this season and could fit into that position with the national team, though this would require him to step away from the attacking midfield role he has held throughout the World Cup.
Both scenarios necessitate adjustments to the existing lineup.
Players like Gio Reyna, Alex Zendejas, and even those who have seen limited action during the World Cup could potentially step in as makeshift strikers, even if they don’t naturally fit that mold.
If Pulisic or McKennie take on more prominent roles, it seems likely that all three—along with Brenden Aaronson—would still appear in the lineup.
Nevertheless, Pepi appears to be the front-runner for the spot.
“Whether it’s Pepi or Haji, they’re both ready to step up when needed, and we have confidence they can do their jobs effectively,” Chris Richards noted. “One of the things I really appreciate about this team is that we feel like a family, and that’s been evident throughout the tournament.”
Mark McKenzie has returned to full training ahead of the contest against Bosnia after dealing with a foot issue.
Cristian Roldan continues with modified training due to tightness in his quadriceps, while Adams engaged in additional recovery efforts instead of a full session—an approach he’s adopted previously in this camp.
