Balogun made his switch for these types of moments. The USMNT pursued him because of his potential in such tournaments. Everything until now has been preparation for this Copa America run, for this chance to go at the world’s top teams.

Balogun’s adjustment to the USMNT hasn’t always been easy or clean. There was an outside expectation that he would step into that No.9 role and dominate, but it’s rarely that easy. Balogun has needed time to adjust to the USMNT’s approach and, as important, the USMNT has needed time to adjust to the way Balogun does things.

Compared to the other strikers in the player pool, Balogun is a different type of player. He’s more direct than, say, Ricardo Pepi and Josh Sargent, two of his competitors for the starting spot at the Copa. His ability to get behind is one of his biggest strengths but, thus far, it hasn’t been one the U.S. has made the best of.

In 12 USMNT appearances, Balogun has scored just three goals. One, of course, came against Canada in the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League final. That truly announced his arrival. He scored one in September against Oman and then another a month later against Ghana. In four U.S. games in 2024, he’s yet to score.

It’s all part of an adjustment period, though, as all parties continue to find ways to get the best out of each other.

“Gregg (Berhalter) has always given me that confidence to just do what I naturally do,” Balogun says. “He’s telling the boys to find me.. Jedi (Antonee Robinson) hit a good ball. Gio (Reyna), naturally, he looks for passes in behind. I have a good relationship with a lot of the boys and I feel like it’s just a matter of time, this is a perfect opportunity to showcase that.”

It hasn’t just been an on-field adjustment for Balogun. The off-field experience is perhaps even more daunting.

Put yourself in his shoes. He’s brought in as a No.9 savior, a player that can take this team from good to great. In he walks to an extremely close-knit group that features a large contingent of players who have literally grown up together. Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams and Christian Pulisic have been playing together since they were kids. Most of the others have gone through a World Cup cycle together. In some ways, it’s easy to see how Balogun could feel like an outsider.

This group has made sure he never felt that way, though. There are moments where Balogun is reminded that he’s still the new guy but, in general, feels that his teammates have gone above and beyond to welcome him to the program.

“I think it’s more just my natural character to be more observant,” he says. “Just at mealtime, the boys are talking about previous camps and funny memories they’ve had, and I just try to listen and imagine the way they’re describing the story. It’s just helped me feel more connected to the group and just understand what’s brought them to the stage.

“I’m more of a newcomer, but honestly, I feel like now I’m at a stage where I feel comfortable. I don’t feel new coming into camp and I know that there are expectations of me. So it’s about me and those expectations, as well.”

In particular, Balogun has leaned on some of those with similar experiences, particularly Yunus Musah.

“Especially Yunus because we grew up together (at Arsenal). He lived in my area as well so we just naturally always had a close connection.,” Balogun said. “Also Cameron (Carter-Vickers) he’s somebody that I’ve grown closer to this camp. We’ve just managed to speak and it’s funny just how many things you can have in common just from growing up in the same area. They’ve helped me with settling in and of course, a lot of the other boys have as well.”

Growing up in London, Balogun’s experience with the U.S. was largely as a vacation destination. he was born in New York City but left when he was only two years old. In the ensuing years, he’s been back as a visitor, a traveler, a guest.

Now he returns as a USMNT star, one that’s helping to put the country on the map with his efforts for club and country. Coming back to the U.S. now carries a different sort of weight. Balogun enjoys it, though. It’s a big country, after all, and he knows there’s still so much left to see.

“Before I committed, I was coming here on vacation,” he says. “I was in New York and I’ve been around in different parts and I’ve always enjoyed it, but I do feel, since I’ve committed when I had that period in Orlando, I was able to see different things. Especially now, we were in Washington and I went to the White House, just little things like that.

“It’s nice for me to just see it from this perspective. I do enjoy doing that. I do enjoy being a part of that. There are so many, probably too many, sights and things for me to catch up on, but I’m just trying to do it little bit by little in different parts.”

Balogun’s rise to prominence came in France during a loan spell with Reims for the 2022-23 season. It was an eye-opening breakout for the striker, who netted 22 goals for a team that is far from one of the strongest in Ligue 1.

He earned a big move to Monaco as a result – and life there was an adjustment in more ways than one.

“It’s different,” he says with a laugh. “It’s a very, very wealthy place. A lot of scenery and for me is different from growing up in London. It takes time to adjust.”

It was also difficult on the field. At Reims, Balogun was a counter-attacking monster, a key piece for a club that didn’t really have much of the ball. At Monaco, Balogun has had to adjust to playing in a team that maintains possession. It’s led to similar difficulties to the ones he’s faced with the USMNT as he’s had to adjust to a new style of play and new mentality.

As a result, he scored just eight goals for Monaco this season, a big step back from his tally at Reims. Balogun isn’t worried.

“It’s taught me resilience,” he said. “I’ve felt I’ve always had resilience and that’s what’s brought me here, but, for sure, being in Monaco, especially playing in the league before then going into Monaco with expectations, it has taught me resilience. It’s taught me that things take time and I have to believe in myself.

“I think these are lessons that will help me coming into this tournament and, for sure, as a team, we’re going to need to be resilient if we want to achieve things. We’re not always going to dominate.”

Balogun is right: the USMNT isn’t going to dominate this tournament. He already has two international trophies on his resume as the U.S. remains kings of CONCACAF, but this is a different animal. The Copa America is a massive challenge.

First, the U.S. will need to emerge from a group that includes Bolivia, Panama and Uruguay. They’re favored to do so. The U.S. opens against Bolivia Sunday night in Texas, and follow that with a clash against Uruguay – certain to be a big measuring stick. After that comes a likely matchup with either Brazil or Colombia. That match, in particular, will be a significant litmus test of where this USMNT group stands heading towards the 2026 World Cup.

Balogun will almost certainly be a key figure for the U.S. this summer. He was recruited for these types of moments, and he chose this team for the chance to play in these types of games.

“It’s my first major international tournament,” he said, “which is a big reason for me wanting to be here: to play in these sort of events. “I’ve had the taste of winning silverware with the U.S., so that’s really helpful for me. But yeah, this will be another level up so I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Balogun’s journey has been a winding one, and at times, a wild one. Playing in this tournament is something that was unfathomable for him just a few short years ago.

Now, he’s key to the USMNT’s hopes.

And you can bet there will be a few more TVs in England left on late at night. These games are still kicking off after bedtime back home but, with Balogun involved, a few more football lovers will be given a new name to follow in the Copa America.

“I’ll be difficult,” Balogun says. “My friends will stay up but probably my parents or my little sister, she’ll go to bed. I’ll have to let them know in the morning how it’s all going.”

Balogun is right: the USMNT isn’t going to dominate this tournament. He already has two international trophies on his resume as the U.S. remains kings of CONCACAF, but this is a different animal. The Copa America is a massive challenge.

First, the U.S. will need to emerge from a group that includes Bolivia, Panama and Uruguay. They’re favored to do so. The U.S. opens against Bolivia Sunday night in Texas, and follow that with a clash against Uruguay – certain to be a big measuring stick. After that comes a likely matchup with either Brazil or Colombia. That match, in particular, will be a significant litmus test of where this USMNT group stands heading towards the 2026 World Cup.

Balogun will almost certainly be a key figure for the U.S. this summer. He was recruited for these types of moments, and he chose this team for the chance to play in these types of games.

“It’s my first major international tournament,” he said, “which is a big reason for me wanting to be here: to play in these sort of events. “I’ve had the taste of winning silverware with the U.S., so that’s really helpful for me. But yeah, this will be another level up so I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Balogun’s journey has been a winding one, and at times, a wild one. Playing in this tournament is something that was unfathomable for him just a few short years ago.

Now, he’s key to the USMNT’s hopes.

And you can bet there will be a few more TVs in England left on late at night. These games are still kicking off after bedtime back home but, with Balogun involved, a few more football lovers will be given a new name to follow in the Copa America.

“I’ll be difficult,” Balogun says. “My friends will stay up but probably my parents or my little sister, she’ll go to bed. I’ll have to let them know in the morning how it’s all going.”