Haji Wright delivered an impressive first season with English second-tier side Coventry City and the American forward picked up on Friday where he left off.
Wright registered two goals including the winner as Mark Robins’ squad defeated Oxford United 3-2 on home soil. Despite seeing two leads slip away, the Sky Blues used a 96th minute winner from the U.S. men’s national team attacker to seal a first three points of the 2024-25 campaign.
The 26-year-old Wright propelled Coventry City in front after 15 minutes, heading home Milan van Ewijk’s cross from close range. It marked his 20th career goal for the club in all competitions.
Ciaron Brown equalized for Oxford United only seven minutes later, but Van Ewijk called his own number in the 31st minute for the Sky Blues to regain a 2-1 advantage.
Mark Harris pulled the visiting U’s level 10 minutes in the second half, which looked to be the final scoring of the night. However, Wright had the final say in stoppage time to give the Sky Blues their second-straight win in multiple competitions.
After an error from Oxford’s Will Vaulks in the back, Wright picked up a loose ball before rounding Jamie Cumming and tapping into an empty net for a 3-2 Coventry City win.
Wright registered five shots on target in total while also winning 11 duels and completing four dribble attempts. He earned Man of the Match honors for the first time in this new season.
“We believe until the very last minute and we get a lot of late goals from that belief and that’s something the Gaffer tries to instil in us to believe in our ability and try and play until the last minute,” Wright said postmatch about Coventry’s never-say-die attitude.
The Sky Blues next visit Bristol City on August 24 before hosting Oxford United again on the 27th in the EFL Cup second round.
Haji starting out on fire! CF for the US.
Honestly could have had two or three more with a bit more luck.
I have a feeling if he keeps this up some EPL teams could take a long look at him as a possible transfer in the winter.
Both Wright and Sargent are good in the air, better than the other attackers we used under Berhalter. Just another reason they should see more of the field for the national team. Of course, Sargent has to first stay healthy since that has been his main obstacle.
He’s a CF
Actually he’s in inverted winger.
Correct! Puli RW, Pepi CF and Haji LW
Gio (CAM) underneath w/ Musah and Johnny holding
Yessss! 2 nice goals. Haji lookin’ cool as can be on the game winner.
Gotta give it to the Oxford midfielder for a perfect through-ball but when the Soccer Gods give you a gift you’d better pounce on it and he did…and Haji still had a fair bit to do afterwards, had to skate away from the defender coming in from behind while putting a shoulder-fake on the keeper and then juking him out of his shoes and he did that too. And there was nothing whatsoever providential about that header…he went up and slammed it in emphatically enough Michael Jordan would have been proud.
Awesome start, and he continues to make a case he belongs in a higher league than the Championship. He does look like a man among boys out there.
Bigger guys always seem to develop their game later and have the option to play longer. I’m hoping that 27-32 will be a golden time for Mr. Wright. Even more, hoping he can develop into mr Right Now for the USMNT!
LLLEETTTSSS GGGOOOOOOO KID!!!!!!! Congrats!!!!👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾