Top five American youngsters with dual nationality who may make switch like Folarin Balogun

The list features only one player from the MLS

In the dynamic landscape of international football, a new wave of talented American youngsters with dual nationality is emerging, stirring excitement and speculation among fans and pundits alike. With their unique blend of cultural heritage and footballing prowess, they possess the potential to don the red, white, and blue jersey and make a lasting impact on the American football landscape.

From commanding defenders to creative midfield maestros and lethal strikers, these dual-national American wonder kids are on the cusp of making a pivotal decision that could reshape their international careers. As the anticipation builds, the footballing world eagerly awaits to see if these youngsters will follow Folarin Balogun, who recently made the switch to represent the United States.

5. Amir Richardson

Amir Richardson is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Ligue 2 club Le Havre. The 21-year-old was born in France and plays for the Morocco U23s. Before joining Le Havre, he was a product of the OGC Nice youth system. In July 2021, he signed his first professional contract with Le Havre.

Amir Richardson, the son of former NBA All-Star Michael Ray Richardson, inherited his father's height as he stands at 6-foot-5. Even though he has represented Morocco and France at the youth international level, U.S. soccer is also aware of his abilities.

4. Jonathan Gomez

The 19-year-old left-back is one of the few players to have played for both Mexico and the U.S. at a senior international level. Jogo, as he’s commonly called, knows who he is, and he knows what he wants. To play for a top team in Europe is the dream of any player on this side of the Atlantic Ocean.

At just 19 years old, Gómez has already achieved that goal. Following in his brother’s footsteps, Jogo moved to Europe in 2021 to continue his development as a young professional. The teenager has gone back and forth between the U.S. and Mexico, though he made the U.S. U-20 World Cup roster and could also play for the USA at the Olympics in 2024.

3. Benjamin Cremaschi

Benjamin Cremaschi was born in Florida to Argentine parents; he’s represented the U.S. at the youth international level. The midfielder was most recently called up by Argentina’s U-20 side in December.

The 18-year-old became the fifth academy product of Inter Miami to be signed for the senior team in 2022. He comes from a sporting family; his father, Pablo, played professional rugby on the international level, representing Argentina. The playmaker may eventually face a similar choice as Balogun: play for the USMNT sooner or wait for a chance to represent one of the best teams in the world.

2. Bryan Okoh

The 20-year-old has already played and scored for the Austrian champion's first team and earned his first International call-up for Switzerland two years ago. Okoh's first taste of formal football coaching came when he joined FC Espagnol Lausanne at the age of seven, before being enrolled into the academy at Swiss top-flight side Lausanne-Sport in 2016.

Bryan Okoh, who has been compared to fellow Red Bull product Dayot Upamecano, is still expected to eventually be a regular for Salzburg, and he could be set for a breakthrough 2023–24 season.

1. Luca Koleosho

The 18-year-old was born in Connecticut to a Nigerian father and an Italian-Canadian mother and has already been involved with three of the four countries for which he’s eligible.

Luca Koleosho is a winger for LaLiga side RCD Espanyol and has been playing in Spain for the last eight years. Whether it was training or games, he always had a smile on his face and a ball at his feet. Growing up in the United States, Luca often played a year up, which added a more physical game to his repertoire, but in Spain, he’s learned how to think and play at a much quicker pace.