Chasing the No. 9 Spot:…

In the last two FIFA World Cup cycles, the starting striker position for the U.S. men’s national team has proven to be a challenging riddle, as contenders have struggled to assert themselves. This wasn’t always the case.

Legends Eric Wynalda and Brian McBride spearheaded the U.S. attack in the 1990s and 2000s. Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey flew the flag during the 2014 World Cup era, though it’s important to note that Dempsey often played in a midfield role, as did Landon Donovan.

Since then, the quest to find a reliable central striker has become almost mythical.

The 2022 World Cup cycle did not unveil a forward capable of producing consistently. Players like Jesús Ferreira, Jordan Pefok, Ricardo Pepi, Josh Sargent, and Gyasi Zardes all saw starting roles during World Cup qualifying. Pepi appeared primed for a breakout but suffered from limited club playing time, ultimately yielding his spot to Haji Wright. An injury to Sargent during the World Cup, alongside Ferreira and Wright’s struggles, left the U.S. unable to capitalize fully on the striker position in Qatar.

This current cycle is even more convoluted. Pepi, Sargent, and Wright are still in contention, now accompanied by Folarin Balogun and Patrick Agyemang. Although Balogun has started to separate himself from the competition with standout performances in a recent friendly against Japan, he hasn’t yet locked down the position.

As the October international window approaches with friendlies against Ecuador and Australia, let’s examine the current contenders for the No. 9 jersey under Mauricio Pochettino’s guidance for next summer’s World Cup, alongside a statistical comparison for each forward vying to take the lead position in June.

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Folarin Balogun | 24 | AS Monaco

When Balogun chose to represent the USMNT in May 2023—having also been eligible for England and Nigeria—he was seen as a potential long-term solution to the striker dilemma. His journey began well: he found the net in the 2023 Concacaf Nations League final against Canada and emerged from the 2024 Copa América with positive reviews. However, recurring injuries, including a shoulder issue requiring surgery in December 2024, hindered his ability to maintain momentum.

Balogun’s agility allows him to penetrate defensive lines, but the U.S. attack often falters in supplying him in those spaces. His movement does, however, create openings for talents like Christian Pulisic, Timothy Weah, and Alejandro Zendejas.

His display in the match against Japan revealed the extent of his abilities, showcasing his capability to play with his back to goal and maintain possession as needed. Even during the loss to South Korea, the U.S. offense became significantly more dynamic after Balogun stepped onto the pitch as a substitute in the 62nd minute.

The main concern now lies in his durability and finding regular playing time at Monaco, where competition is intense. He has recorded one goal and one assist across 332 minutes of league play this season.

Statistical comparable: Nicolas Jackson. Balogun has demonstrated himself as a proactive runner and ball handler, contributing to both shots and goals. Over the last three years, he has averaged 0.50 goals from 3.69 shots per 90 minutes. Sadly, like Jackson, his finishing has room for improvement, with those 0.50 goals per 90 derived from attempts averaging 0.70 xG per 90. — Bill Connelly

Wright stands out as the only U.S. center forward to have netted a goal in a World Cup, albeit a somewhat fortunate one during the round-of-16 loss to the Netherlands in 2022.

Wright’s case is bolstered by his recent goal-scoring prowess this season in the English Championship, leading the league with eight goals and helping Coventry rise to the top of the standings.

With a 6-foot-3 build, Wright brings versatility to the table, proving effective in aerial duels while also exhibiting enough speed to occasionally play on the wing for both Coventry and the USMNT. His knack for capitalizing on chances is notable, highlighted by a goal scored from just two yards out in a recent 5-0 victory against Sheffield Wednesday.

However, Wright’s struggle to seize attacking opportunities during the last World Cup could linger in Pochettino’s mind as a factor against him. Though nearly three years have passed since then, the memory remains until he showcases his abilities at a more significant event.

Statistical comparable: Randal Kolo Muani. While not as proficient a passer as Kolo Muani, Wright’s scoring (0.56 goals per 90 minutes) and aggressive play make for a compelling profile. His average of 6.1 progressive carries and 1.42 fouls drawn per 90 minutes positions him as a dynamic forward. — Connelly

In the recent conference call announcing the U.S. squad for the October window, Pochettino praised Agyemang for his distinct presence—a 6-foot-4 frame and solid aerial skills—differentiating him from Balogun and Wright. Agyemang’s physicality was on display during Derby County’s 1-1 draw with Southampton, where he scored with a towering header.

Although Agyemang possesses raw talent, he sometimes struggles with touch and hold-up play. Nevertheless, he is well suited for scoring scrappy late-game goals and has already registered two assists in 307 minutes of EFL Championship play.

Agyemang’s chances to secure a World Cup roster spot hinge on his health and the numbers game Pochettino faces. If only three forwards are selected and players like Pepi are healthy, Agyemang might find himself on the cutting room floor. However, his unique skill set could earn him a place, especially if Pochettino chooses to bring along four strikers.

Statistical comparable: Olivier Giroud. Agyemang excels in aerial challenges (with a 47.5% success rate) and often invites contact, averaging 2.05 fouls suffered per 90 minutes with 0.92 occurring in the attacking third. His characteristics closely mirror Giroud’s style, given robust finishing—averaging 0.51 goals from shots yielding an xG of 0.40—though his overall involvement and shooting numbers fall short. — Connelly

Three years ago, Pepi found himself left out of the U.S. roster for Qatar, an oversight that proved costly when Ferreira started against the Dutch. Now, Pepi aims for inclusion in 2026—if he can stay healthy.

The 2025 year has seen Pepi struggle to maintain fitness, suffering a knee injury in a UEFA Champions League match against Liverpool last January, leading to surgery and causing him to skip last summer’s Gold Cup. His recovery has been inconsistent; although he looked to be returning to form after scoring against NEC Nijmegen last month, another recent muscular issue has sidelined him again. Fortunately, it is not deemed serious, but it prevented his participation in this camp.

Pepi showcases multiple noteworthy qualities, particularly his ability to find space and connect with teammates for build-up plays. However, time is of the essence for him to make a more significant impact.

Statistical comparable: Lautaro Martínez. Pepi, more than any of the forwards mentioned, actively engages in play, similar to Martínez. His statistics have benefited from playing in the Eredivisie, displaying commendable figures (0.74 goals and 1.36 chances created per 90 minutes) and demonstrating reliable finishing ability (his goals emerging from shots valued at 0.52 xG). Additionally, he contributes defensively, averaging 5.53 interventions per game, which is impressive for someone in his position. — Connelly

The disparity between Sargent’s club performance and his international contributions is striking. Hailing from O’Fallon, Missouri, he has consistently scored in double digits during his previous three seasons with the Canaries in the Championship and is on track to replicate that this year with five goals across nine league matches. This makes his goalless streak for the USMNT, spanning 17 international appearances since November 2019, even more puzzling.

His lack of goals may stem from the reality that while Sargent has many strong attributes—like movement, link-up play, and adequate finishing—no single facet of his game appears extraordinary enough to elevate him into a key player during a World Cup.

Pochettino appears to recognize this: even with Pepi sidelined during this window, Sargent did not secure a position among the forward roster. He possesses World Cup experience, which does hold weight, but it may not be sufficient.

Statistical comparable: Moise Kean. Among the American forwards mentioned, Sargent presents the most nondescript statistics, but like Kean, he actively engages in pressing (4.09 defensive interventions per 90 minutes since the start of the 2024-25 season) and is an above-average finisher (0.56 goals per 90 minutes from attempts averaging 0.48 xG). Nevertheless, his shot attempts remain below ideal levels, and he does not distinguish himself as a passer. — Connelly

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Balogun, Pepi, Wright, and Agyemang are currently the frontrunners for the World Cup squad, ranked accordingly. While bringing four forwards may seem excessive, the diverse skill sets of these individuals can offer the USMNT vital flexibility in various match situations.

At this point, Balogun appears to have the lead for the starting role, though that could change swiftly. Presently, it seems the only way Sargent reenters the World Cup discussion is contingent on injuries or significant underperformance from the competing strikers.