Americans Abroad Player of the Week: Folarin Balogun

Three targets and two productive performances ought to do wonders for Folarin Balogun this winter.

Balogun discovered the again of the online 3 times this previous week, taking his season tally as much as 10 targets in all competitions for AS Monaco. The U.S. males’s nationwide staff ahead earned SBI Individuals Overseas Participant of the Week honors after scoring in back-to-back membership appearances.

Balogun’s busy week began on Tuesday with the American ahead scoring twice towards home rivals Paris Saint-Germain. Though Monaco suffered a 3-2 first leg UEFA Champions League loss to PSG, Balogun’s targets hold them alive for a possible comeback this week in Paris.

The 24-year-old adopted up his midweek displaying by scoring as soon as in Saturday’s 3-2 comeback win over Lens. Balogun helped kickstart a dramatic second-half comeback as Monaco would rating three targets in a 10-minute span to flip the match in its favor.

Monaco now turns its consideration in the direction of a second leg showdown with PSG on Wednesday, understanding that an in-form Balogun may very well be what helps them keep within the competitors. As well as, Balogun will hope his constructive run of kind boosts him again into the USMNT image for March’s pair of dwelling friendlies towards Portugal and Belgium.

Here’s a nearer have a look at this week’s high Individuals Overseas performances:

Naomi Girma

Chelsea booked its place into the FA Cup quarterfinals on Sunday after Naomi Girma performed the hero for the Blues.

Girma scored the primary objective of her membership profession as Chelsea outlasted Manchester United 2-1 in additional time. The USWNT defender completed off a rebound within the field, 9 minutes into the primary interval of additional time.

She additionally accomplished 94% of her passes, made 14 clearances, and gained three duels within the victory.

Johnny Cardoso

Johnny Cardoso’s greatest outing of 2026 might very properly present a spark for him over the subsequent few months.

Cardoso logged 90 minutes on Saturday as Atletico Madrid defeated Espanyol 4-2 in La Liga play. The American midfielder gained 9 duels, drew two fouls, and accomplished 5 tackles, logging a powerful shift for Diego Simeone’s squad.

With UEFA Champions League play arising midweek, Cardoso may very well be again within the XI as fast as Tuesday.

Marlon Fossey

Make it back-to-back weeks with an help for Marlon Fossey.

Fossey assisted as soon as on Sunday in Customary Liege’s 3-0 highway victory over Genk in Belgian league play. The USMNT wingback additionally made two defensive clearances and one interception as Customary Liege goals to remain within the top-eight image.

Korbin Shrader

Lyon are rolling in the direction of what appears to be one other league title in France and Korbin Shrader is a serious cause for it.

Shrader scored as soon as and added one help in Lyon’s 6-2 league win over Marseille on Saturday. The USWNT midfielder now has six targets and three assists for the membership in all competitions this season, persevering with what has been a stellar first season with Lyon.

Shrader is properly on tempo to set new profession highs in targets and assists, a testomony to her final-third talents this yr.

What did you consider this weekend’s slate of Individuals Overseas motion? Is there anybody else deserving of a shout on this record?

Share your ideas under.