USMNT Strikers Shine as March Window Nears

Pepi, Balogun, and Wright all find the net, but Dest suffers injury setback

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The United States men's national team's striker competition is heating up ahead of the March international window, with several top options finding the net regularly for their clubs. However, the team suffered a major blow with Sergiño Dest's hamstring injury, which puts his World Cup hopes in jeopardy. Despite the negative news, USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino has plenty of firepower to choose from up front, with Ricardo Pepi, Folarin Balogun, and Haji Wright all in impressive form.

Why it matters

The USMNT's striker depth is a positive sign as the team prepares for the World Cup, but Dest's injury is a significant setback that could impact the team's defensive options. The competition for starting spots is fierce, and Pochettino will have some tough decisions to make when finalizing his World Cup roster.

The details

Ricardo Pepi has scored seven goals in eight matches since returning from a broken arm, including the winner for PSV against AZ. Folarin Balogun has been in red-hot form for Monaco, scoring five goals in his last five games, including three against Paris Saint-Germain. Haji Wright has also found his scoring touch, netting eight goals in his last 10 matches for Coventry City. However, the news was not all positive, as Sergiño Dest suffered a nasty hamstring injury that could jeopardize his World Cup participation.

  • Sergiño Dest was injured on Saturday, March 4th.
  • The USMNT's World Cup roster is announced on May 24th, just a week after PSV's season ends on May 17th.
  • Ricardo Pepi scored the winning goal for PSV on March 4th.

The players

Sergiño Dest

A PSV right-back who suffered a hamstring injury that could put his World Cup participation at risk.

Ricardo Pepi

A USMNT striker who has scored seven goals in eight matches since returning from a broken arm, including the winning goal for PSV against AZ.

Folarin Balogun

A USMNT striker who has been in impressive form for Monaco, scoring five goals in his last five games, including three against Paris Saint-Germain.

Haji Wright

A USMNT striker who has scored eight goals in his last 10 matches for Coventry City in the Championship.

Mauricio Pochettino

The head coach of the United States men's national team.

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What they’re saying

“I will do everything within my power to be fully fit again towards the end of the season, and I'm confident that will happen.”

— Sergiño Dest

“Cremaschi is a perfect example of hard work paying off. He's versatile and can play multiple roles, originally a mezzala (inside winger). Today he had an excellent match, both offensively and defensively. He earned this opportunity through training, the right attitude, and giving his all, physically, mentally, and emotionally.”

— Carlos Cuesta, Parma head coach

What’s next

The judge in Sergiño Dest's case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow him to return to play before the end of the season.

The takeaway

The USMNT's striker depth is a major positive as the team prepares for the World Cup, but the potential loss of Sergiño Dest due to injury is a significant setback that could impact the team's defensive options. Pochettino will have some tough decisions to make when finalizing his World Cup roster.