Patrick Agyemang’s quest to be part of the U.S. men’s national team’s World Cup roster this summer has unfortunately come to an end.
Agyemang has been diagnosed with a severe Achilles injury, his club Derby County announced Tuesday. His recent injury will officially sideline him for the remainder of the EFL Championship season, as well as this summer’s World Cup in North American.
The American forward was stretchered off in the 41st minute of Monday’s home league match against Stoke City after landing awkwardly. Agyemang was in visible pain and sadness as he left the field.
“Patrick will be undergoing a further assessment of the injury later today,” Derby County said in a club statement. “The club will provide Patrick with the highest level of medical care and rehabilitation throughout his recovery.
“Everyone at Derby County is fully behind Patrick at this difficult time and will continue to support him every step of the way.”
Agyemang enjoyed a productive first season in England, scoring 10 goals in 38 appearances. The former Charlotte FC striker made the move to Pride Park last summer and quickly became one of the key figures in John Eustace’s squad.
Agyemang debuted for the USMNT in 2024 and has proceeded to score six goals in 14 caps. He most recently found the back of the net against Belgium in a 5-2 loss last month.
His absence will now open for the door for Brian White and Josh Sargent to potentially force themselves into the USMNT striker mix. Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, and Haji Wright are the leading options while Agyemang originally was on the radar to potentially earn a World Cup spot.
Derby County remains in the EFL Championship playoff picture, sitting in eighth place with five matches to play.
20-25 years ago this was a career ender. Best case scenario is 9 months before healing, often 12 months, followed by rehab. A real shame coming right before the World Cup.
the improvements to care and understanding are incredible, and he seems a willing and enthusiastic participator. some messed up timing for him, just terrible
It is a really tough break for Agyemang, but there’s little doubt with rest and rehabilitation, he will be back. Look no further than Miles Robinson a few years ago who suffered the same fate. Last year, Jason Tatum of the Celtics suffered an Achilles injury in the NBA playoffs, but now is back at all-star level. Here’s betting he gets a callup for next summer.
If there is any silver lining to this, it is that the US has some depth at this position. Assuming Balogun, Wright and Pepi stay healthy, the question then becomes who gets Agyemang’s potential open spot. Reyna? Luna?
PN,
It doesn’t hurt Gio , Alex or Diego’s chances, three bubble guys.
I was excited by what I thought Patrick might do but I don’t feel the same way about Josh or Brian. I’m not underwhelmed by them, more like whelmed, but all things being equal, I see no reason to take either player.
Considering that CP , (his recent shitty game notwithstanding) or Weston ( remember him?) can more than capably fill in up front, there is no need to do an exact like for like swap.
As someone who suffered a achilles tear and a quad tendon tear within 1 year of each other, I can tell everyone that they are extremely difficult injuries to come back from physically and psychologically. I know Agye is crushed right now considering how close to the WC we are, that’ll stay with him most, so prayers here covers fully and can get back to the player he was(or better)!
Ronnie, I had the same thing with hernia surgery; much less severe injury but getting the confidence back that it wasn’t going to tear again took a long time which I only expected because someone who had just gone through the same injury told that it would take months and he was right. I wouldn’t have even considered the psychological part if he hadn’t told me.
ruptured my achilles at 35, that was almost 3 decades ago, a lot has changed for the way better in the post injury recovery understanding snd process, but that injury sucked, and I’ve had some doozies to compare it to but it’s right up there for long term recovery with severe torn hamstring and the feet tendon/ligament tears, terrible, they bother me to this day
feel for the guy I do
Damn. I absolutely hate it for him – and us. His story’s impossible to not like, and it was clear from those two March games that he adds something in terms of enthusiasm, physicality, and an extraordinary willingness to put in the work. I was actually left with the notion that he hadn’t just made the squad but was going to play a fairly significant role in the World Cup.
Injuries are a part of the game, but the random and capricious nature of them can be hard to watch, sometimes, and “fair” rarely factors into it.
great post quozzel, it was put beautifully and I couldn’t agree more!
💯 I’m gutted for the guy.
Daryl Dike version 2.0? That is a rough go, as it appeared that Poch liked him on the team. That probably clears the way for Pepi, assuming he doesn’t get hurt now-again.
MWR,
Patrick is better than Dike.
He had improved dramatically at Derby
He had a chance to be a surprise breakout player in the WC.
It’s a cruel blow for him and the USMNT.