With just over a month until the first matches of the year for the U.S. Men’s National Team, multiple strikers are getting on the scoresheet and key players are returning from injuries overseas. Folarin Balogun and Haji Wright both netted three goals over the last few weeks for their respective European clubs. Tyler Adams and Ricardo Pepi returned to their squads earlier than expected from previous injuries.
Meanwhile domestically, the 2026 MLS season kicked off with many USMNT in action. Midfielder Timmy Tillman and LAFC defeated reigning champions Inter Miami CF 3-0, while defender Miles Robinson helped FC Cincinnati to a clean sheet and 2-0 win against Atlanta United FC.
Folarin Balogun Three-Goal Week for AS Monaco
Balogun started the week with a brace in the first 20 minutes of AS Monaco’s UEFA Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain before kickstarting the comeback in the 3-2 win over RC Lens in French Ligue 1 play.
The forward put Monaco on the board in less than a minute against PSG, heading in a cross from Aleksandr Golovin on the left flank. Balogun doubled the lead in the 18th minute after playing a give-and-go with Maghnes Akliouche and making a run inside the box before slotting his shot past the goalkeeper. PSG came back to win 3-2, with Leg 2 scheduled for Wednesday.
Balogun and Monaco were on the other side of the comeback four days later against Lens after the home side scored three minutes in before going up 2-0 soon after halftime. Balogun brought Monaco back into the match just after the hour-mark when the team won possession in the attacking third and the striker unleashed a shot that slipped past the goalkeeper’s hands. Two more goals within 10 minutes helped Monaco to a 3-2 victory against the league leader.
Haji Wright Hat Trick Boosts Coventry
Wright netted a hat trick last week in Coventry City’s 3-1 win over Middlesbrough, ending his side’s three-match winless streak. The three-goal performance brought his goal tally for the season to 13, behind only Swansea City’s Žan Vipotnik with 16, and moved Coventry to the top of the EFL Championship standings.
After hitting the post in his first shot of the match, Wright gave Coventry the lead in the 21st minute by redirecting a cross from Jack Rudoni. Ten minutes past halftime, Coventry goalkeeper Carl Rushworth sent a long ball over the top to Wright, who held off his defender and smashed the half-volley for his second of the match. He converted from the penalty spot in the 71st minute to complete the hat trick.
Ricardo Pepi Wonder Strike in Return
Less than two months since his forearm injury, Pepi scored his ninth goal of the season last week in PSV’s 3-1 win against Heerenveen. The forward subbed into the match in the 75th minute and launched a shot from 20+ yards out for PSV’s final goal in the comeback win.
Tyler Adams Makes Early Return for Bournemouth
Adams suffered a meniscus tear in mid-December and had missed 10 matches in eight weeks before making an appearance on Bournemouth’s bench against Everton on Feb. 10. The midfielder was named to the starting lineup last week in the scoreless draw against West Ham, finishing with 91% passing accuracy in 66 minutes.
MLS RUNDOWN
- Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps FC) – 90 minutes in 1-0 win vs. Real Salt Lake
- Cade Cowell (Red Bull New York) – 90 minutes in 2-1 win vs. Orlando City SC
- Caden Clark (D.C. United) – Unused substitute, DNP in 1-0 win vs. Philadelphia Union
- Chris Brady (Chicago Fire FC) – 2 saves in 2-1 loss vs. Houston Dynamo FC
- Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC) – 90 minutes in 2-0 win vs. Colorado Rapids
- DeJuan Jones (San Jose Earthquakes) – 71 minutes in 3-0 win vs. Sporting Kansas City
- Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake) – Injured, DNP in 1-0 loss to Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- Emeka Eneli (Real Salt Lake) – Injured, DNP in 1-0 loss to Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- Indiana Vassilev (Philadelphia Union) – 79 minutes in 1-0 loss to D.C. United
- Jack McGlynn (Houston Dynamo FC) – 87 minutes in 2-1 win vs. Chicago Fire FC
- Luca de la Torre (Charlotte FC) – 69 minutes in 1-1 draw vs. St. Louis CITY SC
- Matt Freese (New York City FC) – 6 saves in 1-1 draw vs. LA Galaxy
- Matt Turner (New England Revolution) – 4 saves in 4-1 loss vs. Nashville SC
- Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew) – 90 minutes in 3-2 loss vs. Portland Timbers
- Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati) – 90 minutes in 2-0 win vs. Atlanta United FC
- Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew) – 3 saves in 3-2 loss vs. Portland Timbers
- Paxten Aaronson (Colorado Rapids) – 68 minutes in 2-0 loss to Seattle Sounders FC
- Sean Zawadski (Columbus Crew) – 90 minutes in 3-2 loss vs. Portland Timbers
- Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps FC) – 90 minutes in 1-0 win vs. Real Salt Lake
- Shaq Moore (FC Dallas) – 90 minutes in 3-2 win vs. Toronto FC
- Tim Ream (Charlotte FC) – 90 minutes in 1-1 draw vs. St. Louis CITY SC
- Timmy Tillman (LAFC) – 82 minutes in 3-0 win vs. Inter Miami CF
- Tristan Blackmon (Vancouver Whitecaps FC) – 90 minutes in 1-0 win vs. Real Salt Lake
- Walker Zimmerman (Toronto FC) – 90 minutes in 3-2 loss vs. FC Dallas
- Zack Steffen (Colorado Rapids) – 3 saves in 2-0 loss to Seattle Sounders FC
