Patrick Agyemang’s positive run in the Derby County starting lineup continued Saturday in front of the Pride Park faithful.
Agyemang scored his first goal for the club in a 1-1 EFL Championship draw with Southampton. The U.S. men’s national team forward entered Saturday’s match with two assists to his name, and now added his first goal for the Rams.
Adam Armstrong’s clinical finish after seven minutes propelled the visiting Saints ahead 1-0, but Derby County would fight back before halftime.
Andreas Wiemann’s dangerous cross towards the back post was finished off by a high-rising Agyemang. The former Charlotte FC beat his defensive marker and headed home into the bottom-left corner.
Agyemang would play 79 minutes in the match before being replaced by Kayden Jackson. However, neither club would find a winning goal and had to settle for a share of the spoils.
After waiting four appearances for his first goal, Agyemang was visibly pleased when asked about celebrating the moment.
“I loved it,” Agyemang said in a postmatch club interview. “Been waiting for this moment a little bit and to do it at home in front of the stands is definitely a good moment. It’s a blessing.
“We talked about it, I’m a tall guy with an aerial presence as well,” he added. “I saw the ball and the flight and I said ‘it’s my ball’. Still not 100% yet since arriving here and having my offseason surgery but I am getting closer to the player that I want to be. With the support in the team, they are setting me up for success.”
Derby County manager John Eustace has previously praised Agyemang’s work rate in getting back to full fitness and admitted his goal was a special moment for the entire club.
“It means a lot to everyone, Patrick is a special lad,” Eustace said. “He’s adapting to the Championship, it’s his third game in a week and he was tired coming in, but his final-third abilities came out. The effort he’s put in over the past three matches has been immense and he’s only going to get better. This is what we’re talking about when players come in and get their full fitness. We’re going to have some super players.”
Agyemang will now head back to the United States for USMNT duty ahead of friendlies against Ecuador and Australia.
20th-place Derby County will resume its league schedule on Oct. 18 against Oxford United before closing the month with back-to-back home matches against Norwich City and QPR.
Pukstas also scored today.
Brazil crashes out of U20 WC. Maybe not too surprising since they’ve only made it to the quarterfinals once in the last four tournaments and are missing stars like Endrick and Estaveo, who had the game winner for Chelsea today. Mexico finishes 2nd in group of death that included Concacaf, UEFA, and Conmebol champs and African runners up.
If we finish top looking likely Italy will be our round of 16 opponent.
Much like France, Italy hasn’t sent its best. Their roster is almost all Serie C with a few Serie B players.
——————
As it stands South Africa just needs to lose by less than 6 to advance. Not sure if that will effect their strategy either way.
Hopefully we see a bit more of the US putting aerial balls into the box. Both Wright and Agyemang are tall and can get on the end of crosses. Need to utilize the players strengths a bit more in the USMNT.
Great goal.
Not sure if number 5 touched the ball going out. Regardless of whether he did or didn’t, if he hadn’t been complaining, he would have been able to put pressure on 14.