USMNT Stock Watch: Folarin Balogun takes control of striker spot as goalkeeper picture becomes clearer

The recent international break saw the U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT) evaluate its squad, with some players strengthening their claims for a spot while others faced setbacks. Folarin Balogun, on loan from Arsenal, has firmly established himself as the starting striker, scoring crucial goals. In contrast, Ricardo Pepi's struggles continued, raising questions about his place in the team. The goalkeeper position has become clearer, with Matt Turner and Ethan Horvath cementing their roles as the top two options. However, Zack Steffen's ongoing fitness concerns have complicated the picture. Elsewhere, Yunus Musah and Gio Reyna demonstrated their importance to the midfield, while Sergiño Dest and DeAndre Yedlin solidified their positions in the defense. Overall, the USMNT appears to be making progress, with Balogun's emergence and the goalkeeper situation becoming more defined. However, there are still areas of concern, particularly with Pepi and Steffen, that the team will need to address as they prepare for upcoming challenges.