The battle for USMNTs top...

Throughout various stages of his managerial career, Mauricio Pochettino has had the opportunity to enhance his squad through the transfer market. A notable example is when Tottenham Hotspur sold striker Roberto Soldado in 2015, only for Son Heung-min to step in as his replacement just two weeks later. However, this option is completely absent in his current role with the US national team, leaving him hopeful for similar opportunities as the summer World Cup approaches.

As provisional World Cup rosters are due on May 11, Pochettino is keen to avoid the ” cruel” situation of bringing players in for final friendlies in May and June, only to exclude them from the tournament squad. This leaves limited time for potential players to impress him. There are key positional competitions across the team; the starting goalkeeper spot is still up for grabs, alongside a likely vacancy (or two) at center back next to Chris Richards, and several midfield roles are still open.

However, much like in 2022, the most pressing question lies at the striker position. No area of the field is as directly influenced by recent performances; a striker in form can challenge the place of a national team regular who isn’t scoring for their club.

In October, Pochettino emphasized, “My message is we are watching everything. I promise you no one is guaranteed a spot on the final roster for the World Cup right now. Everyone feels the need to fight for their place.”

At this juncture, most USMNT prospects have settled into their club roles. The January transfer window has closed across Europe, which limits opportunities for players seeking a last-minute switch. For the six strikers vying for one of three or four spots on Pochettino’s 26-man roster, every minute on the pitch is crucial.

Folarin Balogun

A few months back, Balogun appeared to be the frontrunner for the starting role. The Arsenal academy graduate’s one-time switch to the US last year was expected to signify the end of the search for Jozy Altidore’s successor. To date, the Brooklyn native has scored eight goals in 23 caps, showcasing impressive movement and combination play that has caught Pochettino’s attention. Balogun shines when receiving the ball at his feet, whether making a run upfield or demonstrating his shooting ability near the goal.

“His work ethic is exceptional; he’s always available in every aspect of the game, both with and without the ball,” Pochettino stated in October. “I’m very pleased with his performances.”

However, the season has been rough for Balogun at Monaco, where the 24-year-old has only netted four goals in 1,085 league minutes and eight in 1,917 minutes overall. His last goal was against Galatasaray on December 9; in Ligue 1, he hasn’t found the net since November 8.

This challenging form has reopened the competition for starting spots, highlighting the potential for alternatives to step up in Pochettino’s lineup.

Ricardo Pepi

Balogun’s main competitor, Ricardo Pepi of PSV Eindhoven, attracted attention from Fulham after scoring in five consecutive Eredivisie matches from late November to January 10.

However, during that streak, Pepi sustained a forearm injury. Although the injury did not deter Fulham’s interest, PSV dismissed offers reportedly over $40m due to the lack of a suitable replacement. Unfortunately for Pepi, he is likely to miss return opportunities until mid-March, complicating his chances of making it onto Pochettino’s squad for upcoming friendlies against Belgium and Portugal.

This window is critical for several reasons. It’s the team’s first camp in over four months, and also the final opportunity before the preliminary squad deadline. Additionally, it follows a pivotal fall in which Pochettino tested a 3-5-2 formation for improved defensive solidity. Notably, six of the goals scored during the November window came from non-strikers, with Balogun registering the lone strikers’ goal against Paraguay.

For Pepi, who was sidelined for much of 2025 due to injuries, this camp presents a vital opportunity to show his potential to Pochettino. Missing this camp could place him on the outside looking in for a second consecutive World Cup.

Patrick Agyemang

Aside from Balogun and Pepi, all US strikers challenging for spots are currently playing in the EFL Championship. Among these, Patrick Agyemang of Derby County exemplifies how consistent playtime and perseverance through tough times can lead to goals that catch Pochettino’s eye.

Agyemang had a breakout summer this past year with his dynamic dribbling and relentless work rate. Although his journey from MLS’s Charlotte FC to Derby was rocky, scoring only twice in his first 13 Championship appearances (10 starts), he is beginning to hit his stride at a pivotal moment. Agyemang has netted seven goals and provided an assist in his last 13 Championship matches, all as a starter and mostly from the center-forward position. His contributions have propelled Derby into playoff contention, making him the most in-form striker within the USMNT pool entering February.

His scoring streak is also closing the gap between his tally and another forward who appears comfortable in the Championship.

Haji Wright

The only active striker to have scored for the US men at a World Cup, Wright began the season strong, helping Coventry City rise to the top of the table with eight goals in their first nine league games. This form carried into international duty as well, highlighted by his two-goal performance against Australia in October.

“For the last few seasons, I’ve been dealing with several injuries, making it difficult to play pain-free,” Wright stated following that match. “This is the first season in several years that I’ve been playing without pain.”

Unfortunately, Wright suffered a calf injury in mid-November, missing three games as a result. Since then, he has scored only twice in league matches, but the fact that both goals came in late January provides hope that he is approaching peak form.

Josh Sargent

January has been a tough month for Josh Sargent, who managed to score Norwich City’s opening goal against QPR on New Year’s Day, but has not featured in the last four matches. His absence comes as Norwich waits for Toronto FC to meet its valuation for the 25-year-old. The MLS transfer window remains open until March 28, allowing room for a switch back to North America.

Time is of the essence for Sargent to find form if he secures his desired move. His international record since 2020 has been underwhelming, with just five goals in 29 caps—the last of which came on November 19, 2019, against Cuba. To provide perspective, the Knives Out film series has released three installments since Sargent last scored for his country.

Pochettino deemed Sargent’s exclusion from last summer’s Gold Cup squad as a “football decision.” With his tenure at Norwich seemingly at a close, he has few opportunities left to reverse that narrative.

Other options

Among the five leading contenders, Agyemang stands out as the only one in an ideal club situation to maintain his form leading up to the summer. Nonetheless, it’s likely that a mix of these strikers will populate Pochettino’s World Cup depth chart. If not, he may revisit players from his Gold Cup squad.

Brian White presents considerable physicality in attack. The striker from Vancouver Whitecaps can effectively hold up play and deliver through balls for his wingers while also performing the vital role of creating scoring opportunities near the box.

Damion Downs, also a Gold Cup selection, was recently loaned from Southampton to Hamburg after a difficult stint. Despite 14 games in the Championship without a goal, he has played 226 minutes in three recent starts but again failed to find the net. His speed and knack for finding space make him a player to keep an eye on, although he currently faces long odds for making the summer squad.

Injuries are hampering several other contenders from making their case to Pochettino, but with the striker position remaining unsettled, any promising run of form could quickly shift the dynamics.

The battle for USMNTs top…