Folarin Balogun hits LeBron James 'Silencer' celebration, NBA star shouts out USA

Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAYThu, July 2, 2026 at 1:12 AM UTC

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LeBron James has acknowledged USA soccer star Folarin Balogun.

The striker once again got the party going for USMNT in the 2026 World Cup, scoring the opening goal of the round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina as the team goes for its first knockout round win since 2002. The score happened just before halftime in the 45th minute, with Balogun got the perfect bounce in the penalty box and swiftly kicked the ball past Bosnian goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj for the 1-0 lead.

After he got the score, Balogun hit the signature James celebration, "The Silencer," as his teammates embraced him and Levi's Stadium erupted.

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Done to show the silencing of the other team's crowd and fans, it's long been a celebration done by James, and it didn't take long before "King James" acknowledge the fellow USA star for using it, calling it a "helluva goal."

Balogun's goal was his third of the World Cup, becoming the first USMNT member since Landon Donovan in 2010 to net three scores in one tournament. He's one behind the all-time U.S. record of four by Bert Patenaude in 1930.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LeBron James shouts out Folarin Balogun for 'Silencer' celebration

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Source: “AOL Sports”