Folarin Balogun scores two goals for US in World Cup opener

Born in Brooklyn, New York to Nigerian parents on a trip from London, Folarin Balogun chose America as his national side, and his historic two-goal night against Paraguay validated his choice and U.S. fans campaign three years ago.

Folarin Balogun scored twice in the United States’ opening World Cup win over Paraguay, and very nearly had a hat-trick, with a third goal wiped out by review. He looked, in that moment, like exactly what the Americans had been missing for years: a quick, clever center forward who could lead the line at the…

Folarin Balogun did more than score twice for the United States against Paraguay, he reached a World Cup mark no USMNT player had touched for 96 years. The striker led the line in a 4-1 win at SoFi Stadium, giving Mauricio Pochettino’s side a dream start to its home World Cup campaign.

Folarin Balogun chose to play for the U.S. and made a splashy World Cup debut. The 24-year-old striker scored two goals in a 4-1 victory over Paraguay in the Americans' opening match. The game took place in front of a sold-out crowd of 70,492 outside Los Ange…

Folarin Balogun could have played for any one of three countries. With retired England captain David Beckham looking on, Balogun became the first U.S. player to score multiple goals in a World Cup game since 1930. Back then, Bert Patenaude scored all three goals in a 3-0 U.S. win over Paraguay, the first hat trick in World Cup history.