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3 USMNT players who could fill the big void left by Patrick Agyemang’s injury

Touch wood, it's not a domino effect.

By Kian Long

Jun 15, 2025; San Jose, California, USA; United States of America forward Patrick Agyemang (24) reacts after a save was made on his shot at the goal during the second half during a group stage match of the 2025 Gold Cup at PayPal Park.
Jun 15, 2025; San Jose, California, USA; United States of America forward Patrick Agyemang (24) reacts after a save was made on his shot at the goal during the second half during a group stage match of the 2025 Gold Cup at PayPal Park. / Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
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Patrick Agyemang netted a goal for the USMNT in March’s international camp. The Derby County center forward was one of Mauricio Pochettino’s most promising players heading into this year’s World Cup, but unfortunately, he’s now ruled out through injury. 

While it is never nice to see a player, particularly one as promising as Agyemang, go down through injury, it does present opportunities to other players. There are a few players who were on the fringe of making the USMNT roster that will now be stepping it up a gear to get into Pochettino’s plan. 

3 potential recruits for the USMNT now Patrick Agyemang is out injured

Aside from Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi (they would make the roster anyway), here are three players in particular who might benefit from Agyemang’s injury. 

Zavier Gozo

Perhaps the most obvious choice is now Zavier Gozo. He has been knocking on USMNT’s door for a while, and with a bright start to this MLS season, he is probably Poch’s guy to fill the Ageymang void. 

Gozo has had an excellent start to 2026, and he’s one of MLS’ finest talents. Currently representing Real Salt Lake, giving Gozo his first appearance in the senior team might seem like a stretch, but if he keeps playing the way he has been lately, the case makes itself for him to make the roster. After all, Poch has a history of nurturing young, homegrown talent.

Gozo would present some different options to the USMNT, with his ability to play out wide or through the center.

Haji Wright

If Poch wants to opt for some USMNT experience, which wouldn’t be the worst call in the world, he can rely on Haji Wright. Haji is a name familiar to the USMNT faithful, and many would argue he’s in line for a place in the roster, anyway. If anything, the injury to Patrick Agyemang just solidifies his place. 

Haji, like Agyemang, plays in the second tier of English football. Both Haji and Agyemang are in contention to get promoted to the Premier League, with Haji’s Coventry the likeliest. In fact, they are probably going to win the Championship. 

With promotion in mind, Haji will be one USMNT player making the trip to his homeland full of confidence. 

He is capable of playing in a few different positions, and Poch may prefer his wide threat given his reliance on wide players. However, if needed, Haji is more than comfortable filling the center forward position, too. 

Josh Sargent

Toronto’s latest recruit, Josh Sargent, might have felt like he had a mountain to climb before making his next World Cup appearance, but it’s not out of the equation. He represented the Stars and Stripes at the last World Cup in 2022, and he might just make the flight again this summer. 

Sargent started 2026 by scoring his first MLS goal for Toronto FC, but he’s no stranger to netting for the USMNT. He has five official goals for the USA, but he has yet to score at the World Cup. The injury to Patrick Agyemang might just be the boost that Sargent needed to get the call-up he craves.

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