New York, Sep 3 (AP) Josh Sargent is looking to end a five-year goal drought for the U.S. national team this Saturday when they face South Korea. This game is the first of eight friendlies under coach Mauricio Pochettino, who is using these matches to assess his squad before the World Cup training camp.
Rather than focusing on his dry spell, Sargent is riding high on his impressive form with Norwich in England's Championship. The 25-year-old from O'Fallon, Missouri, has notched six goals in his first five games and has led the team as captain in four of those matches.
"Of course, I'm aware it's been a while," Sargent said ahead of the team's first full-roster training session. "I'm performing well at the club level right now. I just keep reminding myself of that. I know I can score goals and it's only a matter of time before I do the same for the national team. I'm just going to keep my head down and work hard; the goals will come."
Sargent kick-started his international career by joining Werder Bremen in early 2018, just before his 18th birthday. Instantly recognizable with his bushy red hair, he tallied 11 Bundesliga goals over 70 matches during three seasons. When the team was relegated, Sargent moved to Norwich, where he scored four times in the 2022-23 season, including braces against Bournemouth in the League Cup and Watford in the Premier League.
He remained with Norwich after their relegation and represented the U.S. in three World Cup matches, starting against Wales and Iran. Sargent's progress in previous seasons was interrupted by ankle injuries that necessitated surgery and led to a four-month recovery in the fall of 2023. Last season, he was out for over two months due to groin surgery but returned to score 11 goals in Norwich's final 20 league matches.
"I've been feeling good for a while," Sargent affirmed. "Norwich has taken great care of me, helping me get back to my best. I continue doing specific exercises in the gym to maintain my health."
His outstanding start to the current season has caught the eye of some top-tier clubs. When asked about interest from Sunderland and Wolfsburg, Sargent said, "There were multiple clubs interested. It didn't work out in the end, but that's just football sometimes."
This year, American strikers have scored seven of the 21 U.S. goals in 12 matches: five from Patrick Agyemang (currently recovering from hernia surgery), and one each from Haji Wright and Brian White. Sargent is vying for a World Cup roster spot against other contenders like Folarin Balogun, who is attending his first camp under Pochettino, as well as Ricardo Pepi and Damion Downs.
Sargent missed out on this summer's CONCACAF Gold Cup, learning of his omission via email. Pochettino, when asked about Sargent's current inclusion, stated that every player has "the possibility and the chance to show their quality and to convince us that they deserve a place on the national team."
Sargent made an impressive U.S. debut by scoring against Bolivia on May 28, 2018, and has accumulated five goals in 28 international appearances — the last being a pair against Cuba in the CONCACAF Nations League on Nov. 19, 2019.
"I've known Josh can score goals since he was a teenager," said Tim Ream, the veteran U.S. defender. "It's not a concern. Look at what he's doing at Norwich: the goals are varied and skillful. He just needs to keep working hard and doing what he's good at. The goals will come."
American players have historically been held back ahead of World Cups by joining clubs where they get limited game time. However, Sargent feels content with his current position.
"It was a family decision, not just a personal one," said Sargent, who has a 3-year-old daughter. "Overall, I think I'm in a good spot at Norwich. I'm at a club where I know I can score, and that's crucial as we approach the World Cup." (AP)
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