Americans Abroad Five: USMNT attackers keep club momentum after break

The FIFA window can be a double-edged sword for international players. On one hand, the chance to represent their country and in this window, make their final cases for World Cup inclusion, is always a major opportunity. But for players in form with their clubs, it can also serve as a momentum-halter.

Luckily for two Americans Abroad, the international break did nothing to slow down their positive runs. For Malik Tillman and Folarin Balogun, as well as their U. S.

teammates, the next few weeks will be vital at the club level as Mauricio Pochettino closes in on naming his World Cup squad at the end of May. This week's Five kicks off with two players who impressed on either side of the March window. Folarin Balogun scores stunner Folarin Balogun had a fairly quiet international break, but he picked up right where he left off on his return to club action.

The Monaco forward made it eight goals in his last eight games on Sunday, April 5, with a second-half strike in a crucial 2-1 win over Tim Weah and Marseille. This one was probably Balogun's best of the season. The striker pounced on a loose ball, used his pace to blow past a defender and then, at full speed, produced an audacious chip from the side of the box that perfectly lobbed the goalkeeper.