Washington Post · Sep 13, 2023
Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi make their case as USMNT downs Oman
Oman goalkeeper Ibrahim al-Mukhaini stopped this shot by Folarin Balogun, but the U.S. striker scored in the 13th minute. (Abbie Parr/AP)Comment on this storyST. PAUL, Minn. — Over the next 2½ years, as the World Cup draws near and Gregg Berhalter sets the course for the U.S. men’s national team, the issue of who will top the depth chart at striker will remain high on the agenda. But in these early days of the 2026 World Cup cycle, Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi are beginning to make their case.