Balogun, Tillman and the other USMNT players needing a strong June window

The U.S. men’s national team’s upcoming friendlies vs. Colombia and Brazil will certainly be important for the team’s continued growth as a whole, but they also will be crucial for several players needing a strong international window.

Folarin Balogun, Malik Tillman, and Joe Scally are just three USMNT players that are coming off busy European campaigns and will be fighting to boost their stocks in Gregg Berhalter’s squad. Balogun endured an up-and-down season with AS Monaco while Tillman enjoyed a productive loan spell with PSV, one that helped him earn a permanent move to the club.

Scally continued his growing role with Bundesliga side Borussia Moenchengladbach, but will try and fill in for injured right back Sergino Dest.

Several others will also try and make the most of their opportunities, especially with the Copa America competition only weeks away.

Here is a closer look at which USMNT players need a strong international window:

Folarin Balogun

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Out of all four of the forwards called up by USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter, Folarin Balogun is coming off the toughest challenge at club level.

Balogun made a permanent move to AS Monaco last season, proceeding to score eight goals and add five assists in 32 combined appearances. However, the 22-year-old struggled at times for the Ligue 1 side, scoring just four times in 2024.

Balogun has two goals and two assists in eight USMNT caps since his international switch from England, but faces growing competitions from Josh Sargent, Haji Wright, and Ricardo Pepi, all of whom who scored more than Balogun during the last club season.

Malik Tillman

Malik Tillman’s impressive loan spell at PSV earned him a permanent move to the Eredivisie champions, but the American midfielder still has a lot to prove with the USMNT.

Tillman finished his season with nine goals and 15 assists for PSV, helping the Dutch side win the league title. The 22-year-old hasn’t found immediate success on the international stage though, failing to score or assist in his six USMNT caps to date.

Tillman was one of the more productive American midfielders in Europe this past season, and a strong June window could be what keeps him in Berhalter’s squad for the Copa America and beyond.

Joe Scally

Sergino Dest’s absence has opened a major hole at right back for the USMNT and Joe Scally will hope he can fill it for the foreseeable future.

Scally is coming off a career-best season with Borussia Moenchengladbach, logging 35 appearances, one goal, and four assists. The 21-year-old has registered 30+ appearances in each of his three seasons with the Gladbach first team, taking major steps forward in his development.

With the USMNT, Scally’s opportunities have been limited due to Dest’s availability, but with Dest now sidelined for the remainder of the year, the former NYCFC academy product could lock down his role with a strong window.

Johnny Cardoso

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Not many players are able to make a smooth transition to La Liga but Johnny Cardoso was one of those few exceptions.

Cardoso made 19 appearances during the second half of the season with Real Betis, scoring one goal and adding two assists. After logging 49 appearances with Internacional the prior campaign, the New Jersey native jumped right into Manuel Pellegrini’s squad and didn’t look back.

This might be Cardoso’s best chance to pad his USMNT status, especially with Tyler Adams coming off minimal involvement this calendar year.

Ricardo Pepi

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Another forward that will be fighting to get his name on the scoresheet is Ricardo Pepi.

Pepi scored nine goals and added three assists in 40 combined appearances for PSV last season, mainly featuring off the bench. However, with Haji Wright and Josh Sargent both coming off sensational EFL Championship campaigns, Pepi might need a positive pair of performances to stay in the Copa America plans.

Luckily for him, his 10 USMNT goals are the most of any striker in the current squad.

Mark McKenzie

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Mark McKenzie remained a stalwart in the Genk backline this season, but that might not be enough to earn him a long-term role with the USMNT.

McKenzie’s 44 combined appearances last season were a career-high for the 25-year-old, continuing what has been a positive spell in Belgium. However, with a good mix of youth and experience in the USMNT centerback ranks, McKenzie has had limited opportunities over the past two years (five combined caps since Jan. 2023).

Tim Ream and Miles Robinson are the veteran leaders in the June squad while Chris Richards and Cameron Carter-Vickers are coming off positive European seasons of their own.

McKenzie could be in line for his first USMNT appearances since last September.