Josh Sargent will lead the line on Friday for the U.S. Men’s National Team.
USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter confirmed the news on Thursday at a press conference ahead of his side’s Concacaf Nations League opener against Cuba at Audi Field. Overall, it will be Sargent’s second consecutive start for the USMNT, after getting the nod in the team’s 1-1 draw against Uruguay back in September.
“Josh [Sargent] will start the game tomorrow so he has a great opportunity,” Berhalter said. “It will be nice to see how he can perform tomorrow in the context of the team performance.”
Sargent, 19, has made six appearances domestically this season for Bundesliga side Werder Bremen, scoring one goal and adding one assist. After not being a part of the USMNT’s Gold Cup roster over the summer, Sargent has continued to improve as a professional and was rewarded with a call in for this month’s set of matches.
His last goal for the USMNT came in Oct. 2018 in a 1-1 draw against Peru. Sargent will be fighting with Gyasi Zardes to remain in the starting lineup for the USMNT’s trip to Canada next week, in the second of two Nations League matches.
Take whats given but dont pull him at 60 for that fool Zardes. I hope he scores one or two so that when Zardes flounders (he will) GB will be forced to put him in.
“Sargent to earn his first competitive USMNT start”
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….that statement in itself is problematic. We have an American soccer player who plays as a forward for Werder Bremen of the Bundesliga…..a 19 year old training and playing for.a mid-level Germany club in the Bundesliga, a player that should be constantly on the team learning, adapting and forming a cohesive bond with fellow young players Adams, McKennie, Pulisic, Yedlin, Brooks etc for the next World Cup cycle….and this is his first COMPETITIVE start? Behind the likes of Altidore and Zardes? Who are not even great players on mid to low-level MLS teams?? Damn…..
There’s only been the GC since he turned professional. Going into GC camp he’d played 7 minutes in all competitions over the previous three months. Missing the GC allowed him to take some time off and report to his club on time rested and ready. He wouldn’t likely be in the place he is with his club if he played in the GC, and reported to camp late.
a camp lasting more than a month with several games is actually the perfect way to knock rust off, get fit, and get a young player minutes….not that you care…..our preference for mid career vets with no upside who get their minutes over prospects just finding their feet is absurd
IV the point is he ended far better off getting early minutes with his club than he would have with playing the GC. There isn’t one GC game that Sargent changes the outcome of, so better that he starts the season as a starter for Bremen.
sorry, that’s bunk. you would not decide who makes the NT for GC based on whether it turns out after the fact we needed them. you couldn’t possibly know. and you’re full of it — we lost to mexico in part because we wasted a series of early chances and they buried one of their few shots. when we lose a game 1-0 missing shots and leaving off a good finisher, arguing he wouldn’t have changed a thing, does not work.
Unfortunately I think this means Zardes starts against Canada.
Johnnyrazor just killed my buzz cold. Couldn’t the truth wait until morning JR??
We’ll see, I think most people expect 3G to go with a mostly backup lineup for Cuba but maybe he’s going first team for both.
Glad he is getting the start I’m sure he will make the most against cuba. He needs to make a statement with goals and take advantage of the opportunity meshing well with current players a chemistry will start building the more we play the same forwards up top and on the wings along with an established midfield.
Agreed. Gotta grab this chance w both hands. Leave no doubt that he needs to be the man in this slot.