The U.S. men’s national team’s leading two candidates for the No. 9 job in 2026 both found the back of the net in Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League action.
Folarin Balogun played the hero for French club Monaco in a 1-0 home triumph over Galatasaray on Tuesday. The American forward scored his second goal since the November international window, giving Sebastien Pocognoli’s squad a crucial three points at the Stade Louis II.
Despite Denis Zakaria being denied from the penalty spot in the first half, Monaco would snatch its lead after the hour mark. Balogun pounced on a loose ball in the Galatasaray box off of a corner kick, netting his third UCL goal of the season.
It marked Balogun’s sixth goal of the season across all competitions.
Monaco hung on for the home win, moving just behind its Turkish opponents on goal difference.
Up next for Balogun is a date with fellow USMNT teammate Tim Weah and Marseille in Ligue 1 play on Sunday.
Ricardo Pepi scores in PSV’s defeat to Atletico Madrid
Ricardo Pepi gave PSV a late lifeline against visiting Atletico Madrid but Peter Bosz’s squad fell just short in Eindhoven.
Pepi scored for the third-straight match in all competitions despite PSV’s 3-2 home loss to Diego Simeone’s men.
Guus Til propelled PSV in front 1-0 after 10 minutes but Atletico Madrid would score three goals in a 19-minute span over both halves to take advantage of the match.
Julian Alvarez, David Hancko, and Alexander Sorloth all found the back of the net to give Atletico Madrid a 3-1 lead before the hour mark.
Pepi entered the fray in the 73rd minute and would trim PSV’s deficit with five minutes left to play. The American forward arrived at the back post to slam home Ivan Perisic’s cross for his seventh goal of the season.
However, PSV would finish second best on the day, suffering its first loss since September 16.
The reigning Eredivisie champions will aim to rebound in league play on Saturday against Heracles Almelo.
Marvin Dills had two goals for Frankfurt against Barcelona in the CL Youth League.