Haji Wright’s stellar first season with English second-tier side Coventry City continued Sunday with the American sparking a comeback win vs. Millwall.
Wright scored twice in a three-minute span in the second half to lead Mark Robins’ squad to a 2-1 victory. It now gives the 25-year-old forward 11 goals on the season across all competitions.
Romain Esse’s 12th minute opener boosted the visiting Lions in front, but Coventry would battle back after the hour mark.
Wright drew a penalty kick opportunity in the 68th minute after being fouled by Japhet Tangaga in the box. The U.S. men’s national team forward made no mistake by slotting home his ninth league goal of the season.
After equalizing for Coventry, Wright boosted the Sky Blues in front only a few minutes later. Callum O’Hare’s pass was received by Wright in the box before the veteran slotted home into the bottom-left corner.
Coventry City would hang on for a second-straight win this week in league and cup competitions. Wright continues to lead the team in goals and assists this season, boosting his chances to earn a USMNT call up this March.
“In the early stages it was difficult for us to gel together, new players and players who stayed on from last season,” Wright said postmatch. “We are starting to gel, we have a really good team, good quality in every position so we are all fighting to get on the pitch.”
Up next for the Sky Blues is a midweek trip to Plymouth Argyle in EFL Championship action.
Pepi back on the goal sheet today.
Haji is still a spare at best.
What does that even mean? This man is one of the top ST in the Championship in his first season in the league, that can’t be poo pooed no matter what you think of the player, and what makes this more impressive is typically a foreign player needs an acclimatization period period that may stretch the entire season before one is able to really see the potential. I always thought his game would translate well to the EFL and fortunately his ability has shone through quicker than I thought. He’s the hottest USMNT ST is Europe, that’s not debatable atm
It means I am playing balogun , Pepi and Sargent at striker over him. I am playing pulisic, Weah, Reyna, koleosha, paredes and probably arreola on the wing over him. He can line up on the b team with Jesus Ferreira and shaq Moore.
Owen, Koleosho hasn’t played since Dec 5 with a knee injury and isn’t expected back until “Mid-March”.
Owen, Koleosho is not eligible for the US without filing a one time switch.
Owen,
As far as I know Koleosho has yet to commit to the USMNT. He has other options.
As does the USMNT.
It may be wise to wait until he comes back from injury and, after proving he can still play, lets everyone know what his plans are.
No sense in planning the wedding and the honeymoon before I know if my future wife is planning on marrying someone else.
I’m told Brad Friedel gave him the “speaking English with an American accent” litmus test and that he passed it.
I don’t care if Koleosho hasn’t filed his switch or is injured. Haji Wright is well down the depth chart that matters and is still a B teamer at his best. Thank you all for your concern though.
Guy has been on fire. Really like his switch back to LW. Comes at a good time for the USMNT who need depth on the wing.
Taylor Booth with another brace for Utrrcht today. Dude has been on fire since the restart in January.
I’d say Haji almost certainly is earning himself a March callup. Booth certainly isn’t hurting his case either. Neither is Josh Sargent. At their current rate of production I could see all three being called up in March.
That means other guys get left off though and I’m not sure who that is. B. Aaronson and Zendajas would be candidates from November. Weah returns from injury to take P. Aaronson. Cardoso replaces Maloney. I think Booth probably goes with U23s to play France and either Sarge or Wright come for NL. A month away still someone will pick up an injury before then.
JR-
Agree Booth’s most likely destination is the U23’s. I don’t see Aaronson being left off…yet. But he needs to find his form and confidence again.
Zendejas would likely be the one to get bumped as of this moment. I’d personally find a spot for him; he has a skillset none of our other players offer and I think he’s ideal for picking the lock in tight areas when teams bunker in against us. He’s certainly in better form than Aaronson right now. Gregg seems to rate Aaronson, though.
The form they’re in, I do not see Sargent or Haji being left off, especially since Haji is doing so well at the wing. Haji’s another one who offers a skillset none of the other players on the roster have. That Superman physical presence alone makes him ideal for beating a low block when the opposition is sitting in and a lot of crosses are happening, and the fact that Haji can play two spots pretty much cements his spot, IMHO.
Whether we lose an outside back as I’d prefer, or if there’s a CM that’s redundant as you’ve suggested, I do think we need to find a spot for Sargent. A guy who can score and change a game off the bench – or maybe even start – is far more useful than a fourth outside back or sixth CM who’ll likely never see the field, and bringing Wright and Sargent as well as Balogun and Pepi lets you shift to a 4-4-2 or 3-5-2 at will since you then have subs for both. Another thing we could see is, we bring Lennard Maloney (or James Sands) – and only three pure CB’s, since Maloney/Sands can play either spot. But there’s options for stealing that extra slot.
That’s nice, 2tone except for the fact he didn’t play winger in this match.
I’m rooting for B Aaronson, but the guy has not produced anything to deserve a call up since before the World Cup.
It’s: I gave your A, B, C team a shot on the weekend preview thread. I think I followed your Left footed rules but might have missed on the CBs. Love to hear what you think or see your list. I found it hard after about 30th spot.