Anthony Hudson reveals the USA have “talked” to Folarin Balogun but won’t be pressing as the striker weighs his international future while enjoying a break in Orlando
Folarin Balogun’s recruiting tour has continued in the United States as the forward trained in the Orlando sun and attended an NBA game.
After Wednesday’s Instagram post showed Balogun outside an Orlando bar, he reposted an image of him in his football boots sitting on the grass with the caption “This heat!”
Balogun is training in the same city the US men’s team was in just a few hours ago, before the team traveled to Grenada for Friday’s CONCACAF Nations League game against The Spice Boys.
While in Orlando, he was seen at an Orlando Magic vs. New York Knicks NBA game. The forward met with forward Jonathan Isaac and was presented with a custom jersey.
USMNT interim manager Anthony Hudson said at a news conference that the team has spoken to the Brooklyn-born, London-raised forward to tell him they aren’t going to push him.
Anthony Hudson says the federation has had ‘dialogue’ with Reims striker Folarin Balogun
After yesterday’s surprise Instagram post, he was seen training in the Florida heat on Thursday.
Balogun was also seen at an Orlando Magic game, where he was given a custom jersey.
“As I said before, we’ve had a dialogue that we’ve talked about,” Hudson said. “He is here, resting a bit and training, and we have had some discussions. So yeah, now it’s about him just enjoying the rest of his journey.
Hudson went on to say, ‘It’s been good, because it’s been an opportunity for us just to share about our show and who we are and what we do.
‘And look, that’s it, I hope we get a chance to talk to him again. So it’s been good to meet him, and I also know some of the guys who have talked to him.’
Christian Pulisic was asked at the same press conference about speaking to Balogun and the winger was unable to offer much of an answer.
I’ve seen you’re in Florida. I haven’t really spoken to him personally,’ Pulisic admitted.
“But I know that some of the guys who know him from previous teams have reached out to him and talked to him.
So obviously on our side we would love to have him. Yes, I have not had any conversation with him personally. But hopefully, yes, hopefully in the near future.
Some of Balogun’s teammates in the USMNT and club level are trying to convince him to join.
One such player who wants Balogun to join him in the United States is Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner, who spoke at a press conference and said he spoke to Balogun.
“He would be a great addition to our national team,” Turner said of his Arsenal teammate.
“I think he’s done very well, obviously, for his club on loan, and we’ll see, you know, the decision has to come from the heart.”
‘Because it’s not always an easy task to come and play in these CONCACAF games. And it is a difficult region at times.