It may have been a quiet international window for Folarin Balogun but it was not a quiet return to Ligue 1 action on Sunday.
Balogun scored for the fifth-consecutive match on Sunday as Monaco defeated Marseille 2-1 at home. The U.S. men’s national team forward earned SBI Americans Abroad Player of the Week honors after taking his season goal tally up to 16.
Aleksandr Golovin boosted Monaco in front on Sunday after 59 minutes before Balogun added his name to the scoresheet to ice the result. Balogun raced upfield before roofing a right-footed shot into the top-left corner for a 2-0 Monaco lead.
Balogun was substituted off at the 84th minute mark, watching Monaco hang on for a crucial three points. The 24-year-old has scored nine of his 16 club goals this season in 2026, continuing what has been a positive new year.
Monaco now sits level with Marseille on 49 points apiece, but in fifth place on goal differential. Up next for Sebastien Pocagnoli’s squad is a trip to Paris FC on April 10 to begin their final six matches of the season.
Here is a closer look at this week’s top Americans Abroad performances:
Auston Trusty
Auston Trusty’s return to the Celtic starting lineup is coming at a crucial time this spring.
Trusty played 90 minutes on Sunday as Celtic defeated Dundee FC 2-1 away from home in league play. The American defender won all four of his aerial duels and also made eight defensive clearances, helping Celtic stay three points back in the title race.
Brenden Aaronson
Leeds United are headed to Wembley Stadium later this month and Brenden Aaronson is a major reason for it.
Aaronson played 78 minutes off of the bench as Daniel Farke’s men outlasted West Ham United 4-2 on penalty kicks in FA Cup play. The two sides were level 2-2 after regulation and extra time before the Lilywhites excelled in spot kicks.
Aaronson drew one penalty kick in the second half and also slotted away his shootout attempt.
Lily Yohannes
Lyon advanced in the UEFA Women’s Champions League with Lily Yohannes getting her name on the scoresheet.
Yohannes scored her sixth goal of the season across all competitions as Lyon defeated Wolfsburg 4-2 on aggregate. The U.S. women’s national team midfielder kickstarted the scoring in the second leg before Lyon eventually wrapped up the series in extra time.
Danny Leyva
Danny Leyva’s productive start with Necaxa continued Friday in Liga MX play.
Leyva logged his latest 90 minutes as Necaxa defeated Mazatlan 2-1 at home. The former Seattle Sounders homegrown helped Necaxa claim their first back-to-back wins since early-February, taking their Clausura total up to five this spring.
What did you think of this weekend’s slate of Americans Abroad action? Is there anyone else deserving of a shout on this list?
Share your thoughts below.
Well well well, counter attacking soccer. Hope Poch recognizes it’s okay to not have to play perfect possession soccer. This team has great speed on the counter.
Spot on. It is very late in the cycle, so making tactical changes at this point is unlikely, and comes with risk, but given the March window and the corresponding results, at the very least, Pochettino has to give this consideration.
Dirty goal by Balogun…filth, of the highest order…and reflective of a guy playing with an abundance of confidence…otherwise, he doesn’t even consider the audacity of such a finish.
Equally important, is the fact that the goal led to three important points for Monaco, as they continue to chase Lille for third place in Ligue 1, and an automatic spot in next season’s Champions League.
Should’ve waited one more day. McKennie scores again for Juventus. We are seeing a few players performing very well as we approach the World Cup.
Balo scores his 16th of the season with a goal of the year nominee to a secure a victory that moves them into a tie on points with Marseille for the final CL spot and you want to give player of the week to Weston for a well timed but fairly typical goal against a team in 14th place?
He runs on to a missed clearance by Benjamin Pavard in the Monaco half of the field……beats defender CJ Egan-Riley on to the ball with speed, heads towards the right of the goal and right when he gets into the 18 yard box (on the far right of the 18 yard box!!) he chips the goalkeeper for an absolutely awesome goal. This kid is really playing like a player in form.