Folarin Balogun chose the U.S. over England. It’s already paying off in the World Cup - BERITAJA

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Folarin Balogun stood astatine the podium and flashed a agleam smile.

“It’s a dreamy night,” he said to the dozens of news media looking on.

Teammates and fans would opportunity that, too.

Friday’s capacity — 2 goals successful the U.S. men’s nationalist team’s 4-1 World Cup opener triumph against Paraguay — solidified why the programme spent years moving to sway him from signing pinch England.

Balogun was calved successful Brooklyn but moved to London erstwhile he was only 1 period old. He spent his full puerility successful the U.K. and, arsenic a dual citizen, played connected nationalist younker teams for some countries. In 2001 he was called up to the England under-21 squad, starring galore to judge he would subordinate “The Three Lions” agelong term.

But successful 2023 Balogun stunned galore by agreeing to subordinate the U.S. for the remainder of his world career. It was a monumental consequence for the Americans, who not only added a desperately-needed scoring threat but besides hit retired 1 of the world’s shot powers for his services.

At the time, Balogun cited the unthinkable emotion fans showed him starring up to his prime and the thought of being a focal constituent for the Americans connected the biggest stage.

Three years (and only 1 World Cup game) later, he’s already accomplished conscionable that.

“I’ve ever said the fans gave maine truthful overmuch motivation. They showed maine truthful overmuch support,” he said postgame. “For me, the about important point has ever been to repay that. Today is simply a awesome opportunity, and I conscionable want to show the fans I made the correct decision.”

After an own-goal by Paraguay put the U.S. up 1-0 successful the seventh infinitesimal connected Friday, Balogun extended the lead connected a beautiful one-timer successful the bottommost correct of the nett from a Christian Pulisic pass.

Moments earlier halftime, Balogun struck again. He was fed the shot conscionable extracurricular the box, gained control, juked 1 defender and broadside stepped different earlier drilling a changeable past the goalkeeper to push the U.S. lead to 3-0. Fans went wild, chanting “U-S-A, U-S-A” arsenic the whistle blew.

When Balogun was subbed disconnected successful the 71st minute, he received a opinionated ovation from the U.S. fans. It was much than deserving considering he became the first American pinch aggregate goals successful a World Cup lucifer since 1930.

“Not overmuch other to say. The kid is insane,” Pulisic said about Balogun’s World Cup debut. “He’s lethal correct now successful beforehand of the goal. We’re really fortunate to person him. Let’s dream it keeps going for illustration this.”

Pulisic added that Balogun provided much than conscionable scoring for the USMNT against Paraguay.

“Everyone will look astatine the goals,” Pulisic said, “but the measurement he’s fighting against these halfway backs, holding up the balls, getting fouls …”

Balogun wasn’t the only star, however. Pulisic was exceptional each night, weaving past defenders and creating scoring chances. Gio Reyna had an unthinkable extremity utilizing the extracurricular of his ft successful the 79th infinitesimal to unafraid the victory.

New USMNT head Mauricio Pochettino said it was a full squad effort, calling the squad “amazing.” Pulisic went a measurement further.

“All and each an unthinkable start,” he said. “But there’s a batch much that we person to do.”

The USMNT will adjacent recreation to Seattle for their 2nd lucifer adjacent Friday against Australia earlier returning to Los Angeles to look Turkey. The apical 2 teams of the group will beforehand to the knockout stage.

Depending connected really they fare, the U.S. could beryllium playing for much than a period against the champion nations successful the world. But aft Friday’s victory, they’ve earned immoderate downtime.

Asked what his plans were aft a legendary debut, Balogun thought for a 2nd earlier answering.

“To beryllium honest, I deliberation I’ll about apt conscionable watch immoderate Netflix.”