With so many top USMNT forwards, the Championship will be a crucible for Pochettino’s side ahead of World Cup
The U.S. men’s national team’s striker battle will likely center around Eindhoven and Monaco. In those cities, the two top contenders will race to be No. 1. PSV’s Ricardo Pepi and Folarin Balogun will look to go goal-for-goal this season after battling injuries last season.
When the dust settles, one of those two will be the front-runner to start for the USMNT at the World Cup.
But a player pool needs more than two strikers, and the competition to join them isn’t nearly as scattered. In fact, it’s almost exclusively centered in England and, more specifically, English soccer’s second division. The Championship has quickly turned into a battleground for American soccer’s top forwards, one that will ultimately determine who is on Mauricio Pochettino’s roster – and who isn’t.
It’s convenient, in truth. Several top contenders will now face off in the exact same league, providing equal opportunity and measuring points. That makes debate and discussion even easier and it could, perhaps, make Pochettino’s choice easier, too.
For American soccer fans, all eyes are on the Championship this season and, more specifically, on the strikers looking to turn the league into their playground. Several have done so, and are looking to do it again. Others will seek to take down this league for the first time. Despite their differences, though, these strikers all have the same goal in mind: 2026.
GOAL takes a closer look at the American strikers to watch in English soccer’s second division.
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