Loads of USA gamers improved their reputations on the World Cup. The strikers weren’t amongst them.
Josh Sargent, Haji Wright and Jesus Ferreira had been all ineffective of their alternatives, and the match would’ve ended with none of them scoring if not for Wright’s success vs. Holland.
Whereas the door should not be shut on these gamers, it is actually price additionally taking a look at new gamers for the subsequent cycle.
Right here, Sportsmail takes you thru the hanging choices for the 2026 Cup…
Potential returners
None of Sargent, Ferreira or Wright had been significantly spectacular in Qatar.
On the identical time, none of them are older than 24.
Ferreira, at 21, is the youngest of the three, although would most likely profit from becoming a member of the opposite two in Europe.
Josh Sargent wasn’t overly efficient up prime for the USA in Qatar, regardless of spectacular membership type
Wright, who made one begin in Qatar, was a shock inclusion in Gregg Berhalter’s roster and will not be again for 2026 except his membership type reaches a brand new stage.
22-year-old Sargent seems to be one of the best wager from this group to be again, as he is probably the most well-rounded participant of the three and will quickly be again on his strategy to the Premier League with Norwich Metropolis.
Profitable their locations again
In hindsight, the USA may’ve used one or each of Jordan Pefok and Ricardo Pepi in Qatar, because the staff lacked a poacher up entrance.
Each gamers would’ve felt unfortunate to not make the 26-man roster, as Pepi began up entrance for a great portion of qualifying and Pefok is the one No. 9 within the pool with Champions League pedigree.
In the meantime, Daryl Dike can even be seeking to get again into squad rivalry.
The West Brom ahead has eight caps and three targets for the nationwide staff, however a horrible run of accidents over the previous yr successfully took him out of rivalry for the World Cup.
Ricardo Pepi missed out on this World Cup however the 19-year-old ought to have a future with USA
But it surely wasn’t that way back that he regarded like he’d be in Qatar.
The bruising striker scored 9 targets in 13 begins on mortgage for Barnsley two seasons in the past, and will actually pressure his means again into the nationwide aspect if he can regain type and health within the West Midlands.
Wild playing cards
With three-and-a-half years till the 2026 World Cup, loads of twists might be on the way in which, and other people with little to no expertise within the USA setup can grow to be essential contributors.
A type of potential names is New York-born Arsenal ahead Folarin Balogun, who can also be eligible to symbolize England in addition to Nigeria – the place his dad and mom hail from.
And whereas the 21-year-old has performed at 4 completely different youth ranges for England (and one for the USA, to be truthful), he might relish the possibility to be America’s major man.
He has eight targets in simply 12 begins this season on mortgage for Ligue 1’s Reims, and regardless of his lack of involvement with the Gunners up to now, he is been in comparison with Arsenal legend Ian Wright by his former teammate Martin Keown.
Folarin Balogun may wind up beginning for the USMNT – if he commits to his delivery nation
One other fascinating prospect is Matthew Hoppe, who was handed his USMNT debut within the 2021 Gold Cup and made his presence often known as an lively, bodily presence up entrance in 5 video games.
However he would make only one extra look for the Stars and Stripes after that match.
Following a six-goal season at Schalke as a youngster, Hoppe has barely performed at Mallorca and now Middlesbrough, the place he is been restricted to simply 62 minutes of motion this season.
It seems to be like a protracted street again for Hoppe now, however it’d be silly to close the door on a participant who scored a Bundesliga hat-trick as a 19-year-old.
MLS hopefuls
Whereas a sure sect of USA followers will take Ferreira’s ill-fated 45 minutes vs. Holland as an indication that MLS gamers shouldn’t be concerned, there are a few gamers that can be hoping to alter these opinions.
Brandon Vazquez pressured himself into late consideration for Berhalter’s squad after a breakout 18-goal, eight-assist marketing campaign for FC Cincinnati, and it would not be a shock to see the uncapped 24-year-old referred to as up quickly.
The World Cup got here too quickly for the never-capped Vazquez, however he’ll hope to be there in 2026
Vazquez has nice motion and composure in entrance of aim – as evidenced by his playoff game-winner this yr vs. the Crimson Bulls.
However he is additionally out there to play for Mexico, so the US must be decisive.
There’s additionally Jeremy Ebobisse, who had 17 targets for the San Jose Earthquakes.
He is made only one look for the USMNT, although with Berhalter probably on the outs, that quantity may tick up for the 25-year-old.
Positional changers
Lastly, it is unlikely – however doable – that the US discover their striker answer in somebody who’s not presently enjoying the place.
Tim Weah, who performed without any consideration winger in Qatar, has moonlighted within the heart earlier than, and will grow to be extra snug in that position forward of 2026.
Ebobisse’s Earthquakes teammate, Cade Cowell (additionally eligible for Mexico) is one to look at as properly.
He was named an All-Star as a 17-year-old, and regardless of tailing off a bit final season, is taken into account a participant with large potential.
Many USA followers needed to see Weah as No. 9 in Qatar and maybe he may develop in that position
Cowell has performed extra on the wing than within the heart, however ought to proceed to develop into his bodily body and has flashed terrifying tempo to get in behind defenses.
If the USA determine to go in a radical route, Djordje Mihailovic might be the topic of a false-nine experiment.
The soon-to-be AZ Alkmaar participant excelled for Montreal the final two seasons, scoring 9 targets final yr and registering 13 assists the season prior.
Mihailovic sometimes performs as a No. 10, however who is aware of what he’d appear to be barely increased with Pulisic and Weah on both aspect of him.
