Folarin Balogun follows his heart to commit to USMNT, while Ricardo Pepi welcomes the competition.

Folarin Balogun, who recently filed a one-time switch to represent the U.S. men’s national team on the international level, said his decision wasn’t based on any external “noise” and he just “went with (his) heart.” Balogun, who was eligible to represent England and Nigeria as well, committed to the U.S. in May. He is expected to make his U.S. debut next Thursday in a CONCACAF Nations League semifinal against rival Mexico.