Mauricio Pochettino may not have his No. 1 striking option for October’s pair of U.S. men’s national team friendlies, but he still has four other options hungry for the opportunity to shine.
Folarin Balogun’s dislocated shoulder has forced him out of USMNT duty this month, opening the door for others to fill the void. Josh Sargent, Haji Wright, Ricardo Pepi, and Brandon Vazquez could all feature at the No. 9 position in upcoming matches against Panama and Mexico, with all four aiming to boost their stocks.
Sargent and Wright have been busy in the English Football League Championship while Pepi has fought for chances in the Dutch Eredivisie and UEFA Champions League. Vazquez has remained a regular for Liga MX club Monterrey again this season, jumping in and out of the starting lineup.
Here is a closer look at all four USMNT striking options and where they stand following Balogun’s injury:
Josh Sargent – Norwich City
Josh Sargent is back in the USMNT picture and looking to stay healthy and make the most of his opportunity.
Sargent has been reduced to only 30 minutes since the 2022 FIFA World Cup, despite scoring frequently at club level for Norwich City (24 goals since World Cup concluded). The Missouri native has also missed international opportunities through injuries, but heads into camp in good shape following a strong start to the EFL Championship season (four goals, three assists).
Sargent can do it all on the offensive end of the field; linking up with his teammates, creating space for shooting chances, and getting on the end of corner kicks and set pieces. He will certainly get his opportunity this window, especially with Pochettino aiming to look at every player over the next two matches.
Ricardo Pepi – PSV
Ricardo Pepi has been in and out of Peter Bosz’s lineup during the early stages of the Dutch Eredivisie season, but remains a key attacking threat for the USMNT.
The 21-year-old has scored three goals in 238 minutes this season for PSV, with two of those coming in a 2-0 league start against Willem II. Luuk De Jong’s presence has once again made it tough for Pepi to continuously crack Bosz’s starting lineup, but the former FC Dallas homegrown is fighting for opportunities.
Out of the four strikers in the October squad, Pepi has the most caps to his name despite not being part of the 2022 World Cup roster.
He will certainly get his chances against Panama and Mexico, with the latter being an emotional match for him.
Haji Wright – Coventry City
Haji Wright began his career as a striker and despite featuring more as a winger in the last two years, the 26-year-old could return to his old role under Pochettino.
Wright has remained a regular for Coventry City in England, scoring three goals this season to date. He delivered a sensational first season in the Championship last year, helping the Sky Blues finish in the top half of the league table and also reach the FA Cup Semifinals.
Whether Wright features this month at the No. 9 role or out wide remains to be seen, but his versatility should garner opportunities regardless.
Brandon Vazquez – Monterrey
Out of all four strikers in the October squad, Brandon Vazquez is certainly the most physical.
The 25-year-old has shown that physicality during the Liga MX season with Monterrey, scoring three goals to date this fall. A former FC Cincinnati standout, Vazquez hasn’t featured for the USMNT since 2023, earning his spot this month due to Balogun’s injury.
It seems unlikely that Vazquez starts against Panama or Mexico, but he does bring a threat off the bench, which could boost his chances for November involvement in the CONCACAF Nations League.
Who do you hope gets the most minutes out of these four strikers in October? Do you see anyone else forcing their way into the mix for November’s window? If Balogun is unable to recover soon, who is your No. 1 pick to start in the Nations League?
Share your thoughts below.
