The United States men’s national team faces a severe injury bug among the team’s strikers with the Concacaf Nations League semifinal and potential final just three weeks away. The USMNT striker injuries give head coach Mauricio Pochettino a daunting conundrum.
Here’s a list of U.S. strikers out with injury heading into March.
USMNT striker injuries
- Ricardo Pepi - Out for season with meniscus surgery
- Folarin Balogun - Out until April due to shoulder surgery
- Haji Wright - Missed last three months with ankle injury, return unclear
- Jordan Pefok - Missed last month with hamstring injury, return unclear
The USMNT released the 60-player pool that Pochettino will pick from to determine the final roster.
I didn't get a chance yesterday to give some of my thoughts on the #USMNT 60-player preliminary roster for Nations League. I agree with a lot of what has been said by others but here is a quick thread
1/ pic.twitter.com/E7i2p98i0o— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) February 25, 2025
With both top striker options in Pepi and Balogun missing, the clear solution will be Norwich City star Josh Sargent. While the 25-year-old hasn’t scored for the U.S. in six years, his form in the EFL Championship is too good to ignore.
Josh Sargent FIRES it into the back of the net to get his brace pic.twitter.com/4I6gnijqoy
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 22, 2025
After Sargent it’s anyone’s guess as to who Poch will bring on. Several players from Major League Soccer will be in the conversation, however the new season just started. The strikers from MLS on the 60-player list include:
- Brandon Vazquez (Austin FC)
- Jesus Ferreira (Seattle Sounders)
- Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders)
- Patrick Agyeman (Charlotte FC)
- Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Agyeman, 24, impressed in his debut for the USMNT back in January scoring against Venezuela and Costa Rica.
The 60-player list also has a wildcard for the striker position. FC Köln center forward Damion Downs has featured for both the U.S. and Germany youth teams. The 20-year-old was born in Germany to an American father and German mother making him eligible for either country.
This season Downs has scored 10 goals and supplied five assists for FC Köln in the 2. Bundesliga and DFB Pokal.
Damion Downs (‘04) on fire at FC Köln this season.
9 goals in 20 league apps, he has the perfect profile for a modern N9 with excellent timing in his runs and a natural instinct in front of goalVital component in Köln’s push for a Bundesliga return #Scouting #effzeh pic.twitter.com/ewQBD4Lg1R
— Jamie Rietiker-Wright (@jrietikerwright) February 9, 2025
Which strikers do you want to see called up for the Nations League? The USMNT will play Panama in the semifinal on March 20. They will then play Canada or Mexico in the final or third-place game.
We predict that Pochettino will call on Sargent and Vazquez for the tournament finale.
