The United States men’s national team is gearing up for a second run at the Concacaf Nations League title with the semifinal vs. Mexico on Thursday and the final or third-place match scheduled for Sunday.
A total of 23 players were called up for the tournament and the roster includes big names like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and newcomer Folarin Balogun.
The USMNT spent the past week training in Los Angeles before they head to Las Vegas, Nevada, for the Nations League games.
Judging from an eight-minute video posted by the USMNT account it appears the boys are getting along great and are doing well to get Balogun involved.
One part of the clip that stuck out to fans was the humorous moment when the team tried to teach Balogun how to golf. The Balogun golf skills aren’t quite as good as his work on the soccer field, but he’s getting there.
Balogun golf clip with USMNT
The video sees McKennie giving Balogun the rundown while Pulisic, Walker Zimmerman, Matt Turner, Antonee Robinson, Alex Zendejas and Alan Soñora watch on.
USMNT midfielder Weston McKennie teaching first time golfer Folarin Balogun how to hit a golf ball during the team's Nations League training camp in LA.
Flo's going to need some practice when he gets back to England this summer. #USMNT #OnlyForward pic.twitter.com/XczRupBvvt— Daniel Rebain (@pvtmcbain) June 13, 2023
Balogun looking backward while shanking his first swing was hilarious, but you got to give him credit on his second attempt. Even Pulisic had his jaw drop from the second hit.
— James Beckner (@James_Beckner) June 13, 2023
The full “Behind the Crest” video gives fans a sneak peek at training, interviews with Balogun and Pulisic, interim coach B.J. Callaghan’s motivational speech and other shenanigans.
: The #USMNT assembles in LA with the focus on preparations to earn more hardware in Vegas pic.twitter.com/Zd67bWCJWv
— U.S. Men's National Soccer Team (@USMNT) June 13, 2023
Skip to 5:27 for my favorite part of Chris Richards and McKennie teasing Balogun over his British upbringing.
We’ll see if this fun team chemistry during training and golf translates on the field this Thursday with the big rivalry game against El Tri. The game is Thursday at 10 p.m. ET and available to watch on Paramount+, TUDN and Univision.
