The 23-year-old striker bagged three goals inside 45 minutes as he nears a return to competitive action for the senior team

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• Folarin Balogun scores hat trick for Monaco "Elites" squad in friendly
• All three goals scored within 45-minute span
• USMNT forward on verge of return from shoulder surgery

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  U.S. international Folarin Balogun scored a hat trick for Monaco's "Elites Group' in a club friendly against Brighton's U23 side on Tuesday. The American's three goals all came within a 45-minute span, the club said.

  Ther 23-year-old recently returned to full team training after undergoing shoulder surgery in December. Prior to injury, he made seven appearances for Monaco in Ligue 1 action, recording six starts and scoring three goals.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Balogun has yet to feature under USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino due to the shoulder issue.

  In early October, he scored his third goal of the year in a 2-1 victory over Rennes, but later in the match he suffered a dislocated shoulder that kept him out of both the October and November camps under the Argentine with the USMNT. He returned in late November, and after playing 68 minutes in a match against Marseille on Dec. 1, re-aggravated the shoulder injury – and he opted for surgery as a result.

  This past week – with Balogun unavailable in addition to fellow striker Ricardo Pepi, midfielder Malik Tillman and defenders Sergino Dest and Antonee Robinson – the U.S. crashed out of the CONCACAF Nations League finals, falling to Panama in the semifinal match and to Canada in the third-place game.

  If healthy, Balogun will be available for selection for the June international friendlies and the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  In 14 appearances with the USMNT, Balogun has scored five goals and recorded three assists.

• AFP
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR BALOGUN?

  It's unknown if Balogun will be fit for the weekend when Monaco's senior team take on rivals Nice in Ligue 1 action, but the match presents an opportunity for the 23-year-old to play his first competitive minutes of the calendar year.