Josh Sargent’s Quest to Shine for the USMNT Amidst Club Success
Hey there, soccer fans! If you’ve been following the journey of Josh Sargent, the talented striker from the United States, you know he’s been on quite a ride lately. Sargent, who plays for Norwich City, has been in what he describes as a “flow state where everything is just happening for you.” But as he gears up for the Concacaf Nations League finals at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, there’s a little something nagging at him—his performance on the international stage.
The U.S. team is on a mission to clinch the Concacaf Nations League title for the fourth consecutive time. Their first hurdle? A semifinal clash against Panama on Thursday. The winner will advance to the final on Sunday. Meanwhile, the other semifinal promises to be a thrilling encounter between Canada and Mexico.
Now, let’s talk about Sargent’s golden opportunity. With manager Mauricio Pochettino keeping a keen eye on him, Sargent has a chance to make a lasting impression. The St. Louis native had to undergo groin surgery last November, but since the start of the new year, he’s been on fire. At one point, he scored eight goals in eight matches, and overall, he’s netted 12 goals in 24 league appearances in the Championship. Impressive, right?
But here’s the twist—while Sargent is lighting up the club scene, his international stats tell a different story. He’s managed just five goals in 27 appearances for the USMNT. It’s a strike rate that he’s eager to improve, especially if the U.S. is to come out on top in the tournament.
In a candid moment, Sargent admitted, “It’s obviously going to be in the back of my head a little bit,” referring to his struggles with the national team. “But at the same time, it’s just been a weird run, I think, for a while now with injuries and whatnot. I’ve been very happy with the goals I’ve been able to score at the club level, but definitely want to produce the same stuff while on that national team.”
He sees this camp as another golden opportunity to turn things around. “So I think this camp is another good opportunity for me, and hopefully, I can start doing that,” he added.
So, what’s been the secret to Sargent’s recent success with Norwich City? According to him, it’s all about focusing on the small details that put a forward in the right spot, rather than just fixating on scoring goals. “I think as long as I focus on those, everything seems to get in place for me to score, and I’ve been taking those opportunities, been feeling really good,” he explained. “But yeah, I think in these moments, you don’t want to overthink it too much. It’s kind of a flow state where everything is just happening for you, and yeah, at the moment, it’s going really well.”
Now, let’s talk logistics. Sargent caught a bit of a break with the scheduling, as Norwich played last Friday instead of the weekend. This gives him an extra day to acclimate to the team’s training base in the Los Angeles area. However, Pochettino will still have just a couple of full sessions before Thursday’s match.
“It’s a very fast turnaround,” Sargent noted. “Of course, guys are flying in on different days, but I think the other teams have to deal with that as well. The staff here are amazing at getting us prepared. They’re doing everything they can to help us with sleep and recovery, nutrition, and yeah, I think all of us know each other for the most part.”
He added, “All of us have already gelled together really well and just got to get right at it.”
- Josh Sargent is in a “flow state” with Norwich City, scoring 12 goals in 24 league appearances.
- He aims to improve his international strike rate of five goals in 27 appearances for the USMNT.
- The U.S. team faces Panama in the Concacaf Nations League semifinal, with Canada and Mexico in the other semifinal.
So, there you have it, folks! Can Sargent carry his club form over to the international stage? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure—he’s ready to give it his all.
Originally Written by: Jeff Carlisle
