Bizarre Haji Wright goal not enough to spark USMNT comeback
Haji Wright, who was a surprise selection in the United States’ squad ahead of Jordan Pefok and Ricardo Pepi, made an impact when he came on against the Netherlands. However, it was not enough as the Dutch progressed with a 3-1 win.
The USMNT were two goals down due to strikes from Memphis Depay and Daley Blind when Wright was introduced in the 67th minute.
Wright pounced on a mix-up at the back and rounded the goalkeeper Andries Noppert, but his effort from a tight angle was cleared off the line by Denzel Dumfries. From the resulting corner the ball came back to Christian Pulisic, who fired a low cross which Wright managed to divert into the back of the net in a somewhat flukey finish.
Soon afterward, Wright was nearly in and would have had a chance if Pulisic had played him a more precise pass. However Dumfries, who had a spectacular game, fired in on the 80th minute to secure the Netherlands’ place in the quarter-finals.
The Netherlands knocked the USMNT out of the World Cup with a 3-1 win despite Haji Wright’s goal
This World Cup has seen Gregg Berhalter’s side struggle for goals, managing just three across their four matches.
Timothy Weah got their goal in their 1-1 draw with Wales, while Pulisic came close to scoring against England as he fired against the woodwork in a goalless match. Captain America was then the hero as he got the winner against Iran in their final group game.
The match with the Netherlands was a step too far, even though they had 17 goal attempts compared to their opposition’s 12. The USMNT know where they need to improve ahead of co-hosting the tournament in 2026 with Canada and Mexico.
The USMNT need a prolific number nine for 2026
Josh Sargent missed the Netherlands clash with an ankle injury, and his replacement Jesús Ferreira was hauled off at halftime for Giovanni Reyna. Weah was replaced by Brenden Aaronson when Wright was introduced.
None of the selected strikers had a great tournament, and questions are being asked of Berhalter as to why Pefok and Pepi were not selected.
Of course, all of these forwards will be more experienced when the next World Cup rolls around. However, none of these players are a prolific number nine at a top European club, and the lack of a forward put even more pressure on Pulisic – who played a part in all of their goals at the tournament.
Pulisic missed a great chance in the first half against Louis Van Gaal’s side, and was limited to efforts from range in the second half.
Former USMNT manager Jurgen Klinsmann, working as a pundit for the BBC, credited the Netherlands for shutting down Pulisic:
“They knew that the main threat from the US was Christian Pulisic. They can get the odd goal from elsewhere but Pulisic is the threat and they just shut him down by not allowing him to get any deliveries.”
Four years is a very long time in football, and US strikers need to step up to ease the burden on Pulisic. They have time ahead of the next World Cup to become the forward their country needs.
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