Up Or Down? Balogun Improved His Stock But Pulisic Has Work To Do

We’re coming off an incredible summer and arguably the best World Cup in history. Never had we had 48 teams spread across three host nations and so many of the star players actually produce some iconic goals. 

Certainly the U.S. men’s national team could have done better, even though Mauricio Pochettino’s squad did deliver some big moments in its run to the round of 16.  And now attention turns back to the European club calendar for key figures such as Folarin Balogun, Christian Pulisic, and Weston McKennie. 

That gives FOX Sports soccer analyst Alexi Lalas the opportunity to take stock on which of USA’s European-based stars improved their standing after the World Cup. Who could build on the summer’s momentum, and who needs to get back on track? 

Club performance last season: 43 appearances, 19 goals, 4 assists

If there was a breakout star for the USA this summer, it certainly was Balogun. The 25-year-old striker finished the tournament with three goals (including two in the opening win over Paraguay). His summer was marred a bit by the controversial red-card reversal, but his form bodes well for both the USA and his club. 

“What a summer. I think he came out probably on top if you’re power ranking who came out in the best possible light,” Lalas said. “Even with the red card controversy, I don’t think it hurt him in the least. … He did what he needed to do in terms of scoring the goals. … “People who didn’t know soccer knew who Balogun was.” 

The question is: will that club still be Monaco or could he be set for a reported move to a Premier League side like Tottenham Hotspur? 

Club performance last season: 34 appearances, 10 goals, 4 assists

It’s hard to gauge where Pulisic would have been more impactful this summer had he not suffered an early leg injury that limited him the rest of the tournament. The 27-year-old winger didn’t find the back of the net at the World Cup, and now returns to AC Milan to play under a new manager in Ruben Amorim. 

“Keep in mind his stock was down even before the World Cup started,” Lalas said. “He didn’t harness the power of being the poster boy of this American team … there was an element of not living up to the hype and, in particular in a home World Cup, where there were so many eyes on him.” 

Pulisic will hope to rebound in what will be a pivotal season for him at one of Italy’s biggest clubs. He started last Serie A season with a flourish but hasn’t scored for AC Milan since last December. 

Club performance last season: 48 appearances, 9 goals, 8 assists

McKennie’s time at Juventus hasn’t always been the easiest amid always having to prove himself to the club’s rotating cast of managers. But the 27-year-old midfielder always finds a way to show why he remains an essential player for Juventus. 

“Unlike Pulisic in Italy, he had a banner year. He was able to adjust to whatever the circumstances … and make himself a valuable asset very quickly,” Lalas said. “Did he have the best World Cup? No, but he was fine and did what he needed to do. I think people really enjoyed seeing him as a player, they enjoyed his personality.” 

Club performance last season: 26 appearances, 2 goals, 2 assists

Adams remains a reliable presence in the midfield and looked solid this summer after a season at Bournemouth that was interrupted by injury. At 27, Adams is in his prime years and should factor in the lineup under new manager Marco Rose. 

“What’s been the big knock been on Tyler Adams? Well, the knocks that he takes and the injuries and the time out,” Lalas said. “Again, I don’t think we have yet to see the best of Tyler Adams as a player, but I don’t think he hurt himself this summer.” 

Club performance last season: 42 appearances, 8 goals, 1 assist

Two goals – including a set-piece game winner against Bosnia & Herzegovina in the round of 16 win – showed why the 24-year-old attacking midfielder is one of the USA’s brightest talents. Tillman will now need to build on that in his second year at his German club, which saw him struggle amid managerial changes. 

“He had a wonderful World Cup, the way that he showed different facets of the game and the layers that he showed, I’m not sure everybody projected that or saw that coming into the World Cup,” Lalas said. 

Club performance last season at Borussia Mönchengladbach: 20 appearances, 1 goal, 1 assist

Reyna had one of the USA’s best goals at the World Cup with his trivela in the win over Paraguay (even making our Top 50 World Cup goals list), but went quiet the rest of the way. At 23, Reyna is now at another club after a transfer to the French club Strasbourg. A change of scenery (again) could help Reyna reach his potential, but it also feels like a last chance to impress in Europe. 

“I think this move says how much talent he still has and how much people still believe that they can find something,” Lalas said. “This move to Ligue 1, you can even frame it as a step-down in competition. But sometimes you have to take two steps back to take a step forward.” 

Club performance last season: 27 appearances, 1 goal, 5 assists

Dest has proven his versatility throughout the years in both fullback positions and in a more attacking role. But after an up-and-down World Cup campaign, what’s in store for the 25-year-old defender?

“I think he is still a quality player, although there might be a moving on from him when it comes to Pochettino and the national team,” Lalas said. “Which is kind of unthinkable if you look back a couple of years and what Sergiño Dest was.” 

But Dest is still on the radar for a return to Europe’s biggest leagues after a title-winning season with Dutch club PSV Eindhoven. Could the former Barcelona player leverage that to somewhere like the Bundesliga?

“Maybe I should have put a stock up, down, or sideways,” Lalas said. “I could make an argument for stock up and down.”