USMNT managed to salvage a late point against Jamaica as they kicked off their latest CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw. After going behind to Damion Lowe's early opener it was down to Brandon Vazquez to equalise in the 88th minute to rescue something from the game.
In what was a much weakened team following a second consecutive CONCACAF Nations League tournament win last week, BJ Callaghan's side flirted with defeat for much of the game before finally hitting back. They had Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner to thank.
The 29-year-old, celebrating his birthday on the day of the game, saved a penalty from Aston Villa's Leon Bailley to keep the gap down to just one goal during the first half. A mountain of second half pressure ended up telling, as USA grabbed their equaliser with minutes to go.
In what is an extended international period for the side, still managed by Callaghan despite Gregg Berhalter being named as the new permanent head coach following his re-appointment to the role having left at the end of his contract after the World Cup in Qatar, USA now face Saint Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago in the next 10 days.
They will have to do it without a host of their stars, however, with just five remaining players from the Nations League squad being left over for Gold Cup duty. Ahead of pre-season commitments and many still looking to have their first true break since the end of last season, the main bulk of the side has now left the camp.
Christian Pulisic and Auston Trusty are part of that cohort, as is Arsenal's rising star Folarin Balogun. The 21-year-old made his debut for the national side after confirming his allegiance to USA earlier this year. Having played youth football for both America and England, the New York born forward is now part of a new golden generation of talent aiming to peak for the 2026 World Cup in America, Canada and Mexico.
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He scored his first goal for the side in timely fashion, too, bagging the second in a 2-0 win over Canada last week to clinch the Nations League. It caps off a fine season for the Hale End graduate after scoring 21 times for Stade de Reims in Ligue 1 last year.
It was in stark contrast to his failed loan to Middlesbrough for the latter stages of the 2021/22 season and now poses as a major question for Mikel Arteta. With Kai Havertz set to join, Gabriel Jesus the first choice centre forward and Eddie Nketiah above him in the pecking order, a transfer away is on the cards.
Ahead of a pre-season tour to USA next month, Balogun has a chance to prove his worth to Arteta, who has remained largely coy on the subject throughout. The player himself has been less subtle, saying earlier this week that he won't be going on loan again.
He now has a chance to refuel for the new season and has taken to social media during his down time, posting a picture with a friend and the simple caption of the American flag emoji used.
Another player with an uncertain but busy summer is Turner. He joined from MLS last season but has been back-up to Aaron Ramsdale throughout the season. With Gabriel Slonina coming through and putting pressure on his national side position, the penalty save here was a statement to Berhalter, Callaghan and to Arteta as to what he can do.
The same opportunities that Balogun is seeking across the next two months may not be there for Turner, though. He is now set to be around the USMNT squad for the remainder of the Gold Cup campaign and it could cost him a chance of impressing Arteta.
With Arsenal's first pre-season match, against Nurnberg, to be played on July 13, Turner may yet still be featuring for his country at that stage with the tournament final not until July 17. If they progress through the group, even with a depleted squad, they will be up there with the favourites to win the competition for a second time in a row.
It's a dilemma for Turner to deal with as he seeks more first team club minutes.
