Clint Dempsey shares who he thinks should be the starting USMNT striker: “He gives you a little bit of everything”
The former Fulham, Seattle Sounders player was speaking to Men In Blazers ahead of the World Cup.
USMNT legend Clint Dempsey has nailed his colors to the mast in terms of who he feels should lead the line for the US side at the World Cup.
The 43-year-old stated that despite Ricardo Pepi hailing from Texas, Dempsey has cited Folarin Balogun as they player to lead the line for Mauricio Pochettino’s squad at the World Cup.
Enjoy the moment. Bring the vibes. pic.twitter.com/yrMM2Iv0WP
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) June 3, 2026
“The Deuce” was clear on CBS Sports and Men in Blazers about the looming battle for the United States’ No. 9 shirt, and while he highly respects the unique traits of Haji Wright and Ricardo Pepi, it is Balogun’s diverse skill set and blistering club form with Monaco that has him sold.
CLINT’S PICK FOR USMNT NO. 9 THIS WORLD CUP 👀
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) June 2, 2026
This striker is Doin’ it like The Deuce, presented by Allstate 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/a2YhqhXL78
When Dempsey says Balogun gives you “a little bit of everything,” he’s talking about tactical flexibility. Balogun has the elite pace to stretch backlines on the counter, the technical gravity to drop deep and link up play with Christian Pulisic, and the raw instinct to run off the shoulder of central defenders.
Heading into the final pre-tournament stretch, Balogun has been on absolute fire in Ligue 1, stringing together an incredibly impressive run where he scored in eight consecutive matches for Monaco.
As a guy who scored in three separate World Cups, Dempsey knows that group-stage games are cagey and unpredictable. He values Pepi as an elite, cold-blooded substitute who “is always going to change the game when you get him in,” but believes Balogun’s multi-dimensional profile makes him the most dangerous weapon to exhaust opposing backlines from the opening whistle.
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