The U.S. Men Are Beginning to Look Like the Team We Were Promised

At events like the World Cup or the Olympics, stars are born. So far, Folarin Balogun, who had his choice of three national teams—the U.S., England, and Nigeria—to play for but chose Americans, has been a breakout hit. After notching two goals in the team’s 4-1 win over Paraguay on June 12, Balogun instigated the American scoring, in the 11th minute, on Friday. He dribbled fast toward the Australian goal, at a tough angle from the left side, before shoveling the ball to Ricardo Pepi, Pulisic’s replacement in the lineup, in the middle. Australia’s Cameron Burgess could only clear the ball into his own net.

Officially, it’s an own-goal. But give Balogun full credit. “I want to be dangerous,” Balogun says. “I want to create opportunities. It might not always be myself that scores. But if I can force an error that gives us the lead, then for me it’s like a goal as well.”