In the lead-up to the World Cup, U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino emphasizes that he wants players to earn regular playing time at their clubs. His aim is for them to regain top form and steer clear of injuries that might jeopardize their spot on the national roster.
Additionally, he is looking for strikers to find the back of the net.
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As the weekend approached, the U.S.’s top scorer had been struggling to find goals, partly due to Ricardo Pepi’s broken forearm and Josh Sargent opting out of matches while pursuing a transfer.
On the field, it was a challenging time. However, in the English Championship, one tier below the Premier League, strikers found their scoring instincts again, with key goals in two tight matches this weekend.
Patrick Agyeman scored the winning goal for Derby City in the 82nd minute of a surprising 1-0 victory over Preston North End, breaking a four-match scoreless streak. Haji Wright ended a 14-game, three-month dry spell with his 85th-minute goal, helping Coventry City secure a 2-1 win against Leicester City.
While the true depth of strikers in the U.S. is hard to gauge, it’s fair to point out that the list is headed by Folarin Balogun, followed closely by Pepi, Wright, Agyeman, and several other hopefuls.
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Balogun, Wright, and Agyeman all entered the weekend aiming for goals. Balogun faced a drought, having not scored in four matches, but the others managed to turn their form around.
“We’re all human,” remarked Agyeman, a Connecticut native, after missing an early opportunity on Saturday. “You can’t expect to score every time; it’s part of the game. As a striker, battling through those tough moments is critical. It all hinges on the next opportunity.”
His next shot was a successful seven-yard header that marked his seventh league goal. Agyeman, a consistent starter since October, ranks second on his team in goals and is tied for first with ten combined goals and assists.
Wright hadn’t scored since netting a brace for the U.S. against Australia in October. However, after coming off the bench for two consecutive games, he found the net in a tight match, recording his ninth league goal.
Coventry City manager Frank Lampard has been encouraging Wright for months.
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“When things aren’t going your way… I truly believe that hard work and a positive mindset will bring you success, even if it takes time,” Lampard shared. “Haji’s goal was a tap-in, but that’s how it is; now the ball is in his court.”
Both Agyeman and Wright will aim to continue their goal-scoring momentum during Pochettino’s final training camp ahead of his selection of a 26-man World Cup team later in May, which also precedes international matches against top teams Belgium and Portugal in March.
England
The U.S.’s top assistant Jesus Perez witnessed midfielder Brenden Aaronson (89 minutes) and left-back Anthony Robinson (90 minutes) contribute to Leeds’ 1-0 victory over Fulham, bringing their record to 4-1-5 in 10 games and eight points above the relegation zone.
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Aaronson, who has been in great form recently, missed an important opportunity early in the game. Robinson has started seven consecutive matches.
Crystal Palace’s struggles continued with a 2-1 loss to Sunderland, extending their winless streak to 10 games. Center-back Chris Richards, who was just named the nation’s 2025 Soccer Player of the Year, played the full 90 minutes for the Eagles, who now sit in 13th place.
Midfielder Aidan Morris also played the full match for Middlesbrough, who managed a 3-2 victory over West Brom, keeping a six-point lead over Coventry City in the Championship race.
Sargent has missed the last two games for Norwich City, as reports suggest he is pursuing a transfer to Toronto FC. As a result, he has been assigned to practice with the Under-21 team.
AC Milan’s Christian Pulisic has not scored a goal since December 28, 2025.
(Stefano Lerandini via Getty Images)
Italy
Christian Pulisic, after playing 72 minutes in AC Milan’s 1-0 victory against Lecce, extended his goal drought to four matches. Despite a missed one-on-one opportunity, he assisted on the winning goal just four minutes after the game began. Pulisic currently ranks second in Serie A with eight goals.
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Regarding Weston McKennie, interest is reportedly increasing as his contract with Juventus comes to an end this summer. While speculation has varied over the years, he remains a key figure in northwestern Italy.
Meanwhile, McKennie played 80 minutes in Juventus’ 1-0 defeat to Cagliari, marking the club’s first loss in seven Serie A encounters. They will next face Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Midfielder Yunus Musa, looking to secure a spot on the World Cup team, started for Atalanta for the first time in five games, playing 56 minutes in a 1-1 draw with Pisa. His club is set to host Athletic Bilbao in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Goalkeeper Jonathan Klinsmann, vying for a World Cup place, started for Cesena, who won 2-1 against Reggiana, breaking a three-week winning streak. The Seahorses are positioned to advance to the promotion playoffs as they hold fifth place.
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France
Although Balogun did not score, he contributed to Monaco’s fourth goal during their 3-1 defeat to Lorient. He assisted Ansu Fati, and while his first shot missed, he managed to net the rebound. Monaco is set to visit Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Winger Tim Weah scored a header from six yards in the 40th minute of Olympique Marseille’s 5-2 victory over Angers. This marks his second goal in Ligue 1 and third across all competitions. Marseille will face Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Midfielder Tanner Tessman helped Olympique Lyon secure a 2-1 win over a 10-man Brest, moving them into fourth place with six consecutive victories across all competitions, marking his 13th league start. They sit three points behind Marseille, aiming to qualify for the Champions League.
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Center-back Mark McKenzie missed the 5-1 victory over Nice due to a foot injury.
Germany
Defensive midfielder James Sands (90 minutes) scored his first goal since joining St. Pauli a year ago with a header in the 62nd minute of a 3-2 loss to Borussia Dortmund. His team currently sits at the bottom of the Bundesliga with a record of 3 wins, 11 losses, and 3 draws.
Malik Tillman played 90 minutes for Bayer Leverkusen in a 1-0 loss to Hoffenheim, marking his team’s second consecutive defeat ahead of their Champions League match against Olympiakos on Tuesday.
Midfielder Gio Reyna stayed on the bench for Mönchengladbach, coming in during the 69th minute of a 0-0 draw with Hamburg. He has only played a total of five minutes in the last two Bundesliga matches. His teammate Joe Scally played a full 90 minutes.
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Forward Damion Downs made his second start for Hamburg since joining on loan from Southampton, while defender Noah Kynck achieved his 13th consecutive Bundesliga start in Augsburg’s 2-2 draw with Freiburg.
Left wingback John Tolkien helped Holstein Kiel secure a 2-0 win over Paderborn, extending their unbeaten streak to four games.
Other
PSV Eindhoven (17-1-1) is maintaining its push for a third consecutive Dutch Eredivisie title, but neither American was involved in their 2-1 win over Fortuna Sittard.
Pepi (11 goals, 3 assists in 21 games) will be sidelined until March, while right-back Serginho Dest is set to play against Newcastle in the Champions League on Wednesday.
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Midfielder Johnny Cardoso made his first La Liga start since August 30, playing 78 minutes in Atlético Madrid’s 1-0 victory over Alaves, just five days after starting in the Copa del Rey. Atlético will return to Champions League action against Galatasaray on Wednesday.
Center-back Auston Trusty had a day off after Celtic’s 2-0 win in the fourth round against sixth-division Auchinleck Talbot.
Club América winger Alex Zendejas remains sidelined due to injury during the Liga MX Clausura season.
Fan Take: This news is crucial for soccer enthusiasts as it highlights the evolving landscape of U.S. talent ahead of the World Cup. The success and form of these players not only impacts their national team but also shapes the future of soccer in the U.S., adding excitement and anticipation for fans.
