USMNT Striker Power Rankings: Folarin Balogun climbs to No. 1; Tim Weah one to watch at Juventus

Mauricio Pochettino’s first international break in charge of the United States men’s national team is quickly approaching during the October window, which also means that it’s a good time to take a look at how some positions could shake out with the Argentine in charge. One that is critical to the team taking its game to the next level is striker. Folarin Balogun choosing to represent the United States has improved the talent level of the pool but with recent developments, does that keep him as being the best option among a group of players improving by the day? 

Let’s take a look at how the pool is shaking out:l

5. Ricardo Pepi, PSV

One of the first names off the bench for PSV, Ricardo Pepi has featured in every match for the Dutch side this season but he has only scored one goal so far. With Luuk de Jong continuing to lead the line effectively, there’s no real way for Pepi to break in as a starter without there being an injury to another player. If this continues to January, it’s worth asking the question of if a loan is needed for Pepi to receive regular playing time to grow.

4. Tim Weah, Juventus 

Look out, a new striker may have appeared! It has been a while but when now manager Thiago Motta played for Paris Saint-Germain, a young Tim Weah was beginning his career in Paris as a striker. Weah got some minutes with the senior team while Motta was still roaming the midfield but Thomas Tuchel wanted Weah to decide if he was a winger or a striker due to how many options PSG had at both positions. After a successful loan with Celtic, Weah ended up playing more as a winger before his odd spell as a wing back for Lille.

Now reunited with Motta, Weah scored while playing on the wing to kick off Juventus’ season but when Dusan Vlahovic was withdrawn at half against Napoli due to an injury, Weah entered the match and played as a nine. While Juventus didn’t score, Motta’s willingness to put Weah central is something to keep an eye on. Positional versatility is something that’s important to Pochettino and if Weah gets a run at the nine for Juventus and does well there, it could really open up the USMNT front line.

3. Haji Wright, Coventry City

After starting the season on fire with two goals in a 3-2 victory over Oxford, Wright has cooled off, not registering a goal contribution in four consecutive games for Coventry. Not only is he not contributing in the attack but his touches and shots have both fallen with Wright being withdrawn at halftime of Coventry’s defeat to Swansea City. A team that should be contending for a playoff position, the Sky Blues are sitting in 19th place in the Championship. 

Wright is a streaky player so there’s plenty of time for him to turn things around but there’s also no denying that he’s out of form at the moment. When he has an opportunity to break through for the USMNT, this isn’t the best time to be playing some of his worst soccer in the past few seasons.

2. Josh Sargent, Norwich City

Like Wright, Josh Sargent is in a bit of a rut not scoring in three consecutive games but where things divert is that his seems to be more down to a lack of lack. In his last two starts for Norwich City, Sargent has taken nine shots putting four on target for an xG of 1.18 and he has also created three chances for his teammates. But, he has no goals or assists to show for it while looking to add to his two goals and one assist for the season.

Sargent is a focal point of the Canaries’ attack so it only seems like a matter of time until he turns things around this season. With his wholistic output, he’s still playing a large role in matches even when he doesn’t score which is something that could be an important thing to Pochettino.

1. Folarin Balogun, Monaco

The wait is over and Balogun has scored his first goal of the season for Monaco. It took 250 league minutes and 13 shots across four games to get it done but the first goal of the season is the hardest one to score. Balogun needs to work to stick in the lineup as a starter but with Moncao’s depth in attack that will be tough to do. The good news is that with Champions League play, there will be plenty of minutes to go around but Balogun will need to make the most of those minutes to keep ahold of his starting role for the USMNT. The danger that he creates leading the line is clear and with Pochettino’s tactics, some of Balogun’s skill in tight spaces can be put to better use, but if he isn’t in form for Monaco, Sargent is lurking.