Folarin Balogun netted his first Champions League goal to secure a 1-0 win for Monaco against Bodø/Glimt, while Ricardo Pepi delivered a late equalizer for PSV Eindhoven in a 1-1 draw with Olympiacos. Both goals highlight strong form ahead of the USMNT's November training camp. The performances come as Mauricio Pochettino prepares to announce his roster for friendlies against Paraguay and Uruguay.
On Tuesday, November 4, 2025, USMNT forwards Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi made significant contributions in UEFA Champions League League Phase matches, bolstering their cases for national team selection.
Balogun opened the scoring in the 43rd minute for Monaco against Bodø/Glimt in Norway. After a give-and-go with Maghnes Akliouche, he powered a left-footed shot from a tight angle on the left side of the box, high and inside the near post. This marked Balogun's first Champions League goal and his fourth in eight matches across all competitions since returning from international duty in mid-October. Overall, he has five goals in 13 appearances this season for Monaco, who earned their first win in the competition after two draws and one defeat in their prior three games. Monaco now has five points from four matches.
An hour later, Pepi came off the bench in the second half for PSV Eindhoven at Olympiacos. In stoppage time, he volleyed from 15 yards off goalkeeper Kostantinos Tzolakis to salvage a 1-1 draw. This was Pepi's second consecutive Champions League goal, adding to three goals in his past four appearances—none as a starter—and five goals in 11 games overall. PSV also sits on five points from four matches.
These efforts come amid Pepi's recovery from injuries that have limited him since last winter and kept him out of USMNT call-ups since the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals a year ago. He has played 292 minutes in eight Eredivisie appearances (three starts) and 112 minutes in three Champions League games (one start). Balogun remains the leading striker option under Pochettino.
Other USMNT players in action included Haji Wright, who assisted in Coventry City's 3-1 Championship win over Sheffield United (eight goals, one assist in 13 appearances), and Patrick Agyemang, who played 68 minutes in Derby County's 2-1 victory over Hull City (one goal, three assists in 10 matches). Sergiño Dest played 90 minutes for PSV, Weston McKennie did the same in Juventus' 1-1 draw with Sporting Lisbon, and Johnny Cardoso was unused in Atlético Madrid's 3-1 win over Union Saint-Gilloise.
Pochettino's roster for the USMNT's final 2025 camp is due Thursday, with the team gathering Monday in greater Philadelphia for matches against Paraguay on November 15 in Chester, Pennsylvania, and Uruguay on November 18 in Tampa.
