With just 100 days remaining until the United States men's national team’s first match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the debate over who should be the starting striker against Paraguay remains up in the air. Both Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi have been impressing with their recent form, and the decision on who will lead the line for Mauricio Pochettino's side is far from being resolved. However, for USA soccer legend Brian McBride, one option stands out above the rest.
McBride’s Clear Choice: Balogun
Brian McBride, an icon of USA soccer, has firmly stated that Folarin Balogun should be the first-choice striker, especially considering his recent performances. Speaking on Alexi Lalas' "State of the Union," McBride highlighted the importance of form in football. According to McBride, when a player is in good form, they instinctively know what to do on the pitch, and Balogun’s current run of form makes him the ideal candidate.
“Form is a big thing,” McBride said. “If you’re playing, and you’re in-form, you just have that flow on the field. He’s got more of what we need than, say, Ricardo Pepi.”
Balogun has been in outstanding form with AS Monaco this season, having scored 12 goals and provided 4 assists across all competitions, including five goals in the UEFA Champions League. His resurgence after a few injury setbacks has been timely, as he also made an impact with the USA, scoring three goals in his last five international appearances.
Pepi’s Growing Influence and Potential Move
While Balogun’s form is hard to ignore, Ricardo Pepi is not far behind in terms of his contributions. Pepi has been scoring goals consistently for PSV in the Dutch Eredivisie, and his performances have attracted attention, including a notable transfer bid from Fulham earlier this year. Despite not securing the move, Fulham remain strong contenders to sign Pepi in the summer.
McBride acknowledged Pepi’s qualities as a goal-scorer, praising his movement and positioning. He also noted that Pepi’s ability to come off the bench and score regularly could be an advantage for Pochettino, as it provides an extra weapon to utilize during games.
"Pepi is a great goalscorer, and his movement is really good, and he’s been playing at a higher level," McBride said. "It may hurt him that he comes off the bench and scores goals. As a coach, you see that, and you’re like, ‘Wait a second, I can keep this as sort of a secret weapon.’”
Fulham’s Interest in Pepi and His Future
McBride believes that a move to Fulham would be a great fit for Pepi. He outlined that while Fulham’s style of play doesn’t demand too much from their center forward, Pepi’s ability to hold the ball, make runs behind the defense, and finish chances would make him a valuable asset to the club.
“I think it would be a good spot for him, I really do,” McBride said. “The way that Fulham plays, you don’t ask a lot of your center forward. If you can run in behind, that’s very helpful.”
Both Balogun and Pepi are expected to be called up for the USA's upcoming friendlies against Belgium and Portugal, which will serve as crucial preparation ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The final squad selection is expected to take place in May, just before the tournament kicks off in June.
