Folarin Balogun scores his first senior international goal, doubles US’ lead against Canada | Watch video

Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun scored a stunning goal for the US against Canada in the Concacaf Nations League final

Balogun scored his first international goal in his second cap, putting the United States up 2-0 in the first half. Gio Reyna’s well-weighted pass set for an exquisite finish. Earlier in the game all it took was 12 minutes for Chris Richards to find the back of the net following a corner. Gio Reyna grabbed the assist and sent the United States off and running early.

Funnily enough, Balogun became just the second USMNT player to score his first international goal in a final, joining Richards, who did so just minutes earlier.

Already hailed as one of the biggest recruitment coups in USMNT history, the signing of dynamic teenage striker Folarin Balogun adds a lot of promise to a national team that has failed to find a regular goal scorer over the last decade.

Balogun, who was born in New York to Nigerian parents before moving to England when he was two years old, could have chosen either England or Nigeria, having already represented the Three Lions in a few junior divisions.

Balogun scored 22 goals in 38 games while on loan from Arsenal to Ligue 1 side Reims, and his international decision has implications not only in the United States, but around the world.

Balogun has been dubbed the USMNT’s future No. 9, having just committed to the program following months of recruitment. His first encounter, a 3-0 victory over Mexico on Thursday, saw him play quietly but effectively, albeit he was unable to strike the back of the net.

Following Sunday’s final, the USMNT will immediately turn their attention to the Gold Cup. The majority of the team brought in for the Nations League, on the other hand, will depart for the summer, with the United States fielding two totally different squads for the two events.