Folarin Balogun's debut, Gio Reyna in the midfield and main storylines to follow as the USMNT goes for Nations League glory

The U.S. men's national team that will face Mexico on Thursday night is much different than the one we saw in Nations League play just a few months ago. Most of the pieces are still in place, mind you, but there is one big addition headlining the squad.

Folarin Balogun is the man of the hour as he prepares for his USMNT debut after months and months of recruiting and rumors. Those rumors went into overdrive just ahead of the USMNT's last Nations League game, a win over El Salvador in Orlando, when Balogun was caught stateside by USMNT internet detectives.

Those days are long gone now, though, as Balogun is here and committed. He'll be the USMNT's striker of the future, a role that has been occupied by several names over the last few years.

Is he the USMNT's striker of the immediate future, though? Does he get the start right away against Mexico? Probably, but we can't be too sure. He's very much still integrating himself to the team, and any match against Mexico, especially one with a trophy in the line, will be a tough one to make a debut in.

That's one storyline to watch this week, but there are plenty of them. GOAL breaks down some of the key things to watch in the Nations League...

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