Three forwards, all of whom who play in England's second tier, are likely fighting for one spot at on Gregg Berhalter's roster this summer
As we head into the second half of the European club seasons, U.S. men's national team fans should be keeping a close eye on the Championship. Gregg Berhalter certainly will be. It's because the English second division is home to a developing three-way battle between trio of American strikers who are duking it out for what will likely be one spot in Berhalter's squad ahead of a massive, massive summer.
The Copa America looms large, and players all over North and South America will be fighting for the right to represent their country under the brightest lights until the World Cup kicks off. The USMNT is no different, as there are several positional battles to play out before this summer's competition.
Striker, in particular, is an interesting one, and over the next few months, Josh Sargent, Daryl Dike and Haji Wright will all have their say as they look to show why they belong in the team heading into a huge summer.
Getty ImagesState of the strikers
As we wrap up this first month of 2024, we have a fairly good idea of what the top of the USMNT depth chart looks like at the striker position. Sitting atop it is Folarin Balogun, whose move to Monaco hasn't quite been a home run, but has been good enough for him to keep his place in Berhalter's preferred line-up. The big 2023 recruit's first real tests will come in the summer of 2024, when the USMNT get their first true glimpse into how their No.9 can or can't elevate them against some of the world's elite.
Just behind him is Ricardo Pepi, who has reignited his career at PSV. After a move to Augsburg went all sorts of wrong, Pepi has rebuilt himself in the Eredivisie, first on loan with Groningen last season and now with PSV. He isn't quite a starter in Eindhoven, with PSV easing him into things, but he's impressed with some big goals, including the strike which sealed the club's place in the Champions League knockouts.
There are North American-based options in the mix, too, players like Jesus Ferreira, Brandon Vazquez or even newcomer Duncan McGuire, but it seems that the race for a third striker spot will take place in England over the coming months.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesSargent back with a bang
In the initial weeks of the Championship season, Sargent was on fire. Fresh off a campaign that saw him score a respectable 13 goals for Norwich City, Sargent scored three in his first five games of 2023-24, setting the tone for what looked like a true breakout season at Carrow Road.
Unfortunately, though, disaster struck, as Sargent damaged ligaments in his ankle on August 26. He underwent surgery soon after, which kept him out of action until the New Year. On January 1, however, Sargent proved that the injury was a merely a speed bump, as he scored on just his second appearance back, netting in a 1-1 draw with Southampton to prove that he had plenty left to offer now that he's fit.
"Coming back from injury, in your head you think 'am I going to be the same player, is everything going to work out?', so it's amazing to get on the scoresheet and hopefully I can return to good form," he told "It's been a long time, I still need to get in shape, my conditioning needs to get better, but it's obviously a very good feeling to be back on the pitch with the boys.”
In the weeks since, Sargent scored another goal, leading the way in a 2-0 win over West Brom to take his tally to five in just 514 Championship minutes this season. With that goal, Norwich got one over on the Baggies, who are just welcoming back their own USMNT star as the focal point of their attack…
Dike's injury battles
Over the last few years, the world hasn't seen enough of Dike. Injuries have robbed him of some major chances in the Championship, and now the former Orlando City man looks eager to make up for lost time.
Dike recently made his return for West Brom having missed nine months after tearing his Achilles all the way back in April 2023. That setback came after a hamstring injury had shortened his debut campaign at The Hawthorns, limiting him to just two appearances in that first half-season after joining in January 2021.
Now fit, Dike is back with a vengeance. He's already back scoring, having netted what must have felt like a massive goal in a 4-1 FA Cup win over Aldershot. The celebration said it all as Dike, overcome with emotion, screamed his heart out in celebration after finally getting back to what he does best.
In just about 1300 total minutes, Dike has eight goals for West Brom, and the hope is that there will be plenty more to come if he can finally put his injury issues behind him.
GettyWright quietly starring for Coventry
While American soccer's eyes have been fixed on others, Wright has quietly been thriving during the first year of his own Championship adventure. He joined Coventry last summer to try to lead the club back to the Premier League for the first time since 2001 while proving that he can do in a league as gruelling as the Championship.
So far, he's taken his opportunity. Through 26 matches, Wright is currently on eight goals and five assists, a pretty good haul since he's still adjusting to life with his new club. Coventry were hovering near the bottom of the league for some time, but a recent stretch of six wins during a nine-game unbeaten run has vaulted the Sky Blues up to sixth and into the fight for a playoff berth.
Wright has scored in each of his last two appearances during that run, netting against both Middlesbrough and Swansea in recent weeks.
