Home/Articles/NBA
NBA·July 1, 2026 09:00 PM ET

Balogun's goal waved off but striker turns in tough USMNT shift

Balogun impresses despite a disallowed goal.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Jul 21 min read
Post on X
PHI
Philadelphia 76ersNBA
RT @SportsCenter: Balogun's goal didn't count, but the Silencer was tough 😤 LeBron to the USMNT? 😂 https://t.co/R0r53dz

What happened: Folarin Balogun had a goal ruled out but delivered a physical, disruptive performance up front for the U.S. men's national team, earning the nickname "the Silencer" for his workrate. The night also produced a viral quip floating LeBron James joining the USMNT.

Why it matters: Balogun's finishing and pressing remain central to how the USMNT builds its attack, so a strong outing even without a counted goal is a useful sign for the forward line. Consistent physical play from the striker gives the national team another dimension beyond pure goalscoring.

What to watch: Watch whether Balogun turns his chances into goals that stand in the USMNT's next fixture.

Sources

More on LeBron James

CONVERSATION
Loading comments…
NBAAnalysisUSMNTFolarin BalogunLeBron James
Follow NBA Intelligence
Real-time signals and analysis
@WireReportNBA
WR Pro
The day's sports, briefed to your inbox at 7am ET. Every claim sourced.
$9/monthFree weekly newsletter →
RELATED STORIES
← Back to Wire Report