ATLANTA — The U.S. Men’s National Team — usually paper-thin at striker — suddenly has a trio of in-form World Cup hopefuls, all double-digit scorers in Europe.
None had as unique a path to this Atlanta training camp as Patrick Agyemang.
From toiling in NCAA Division III to being molded in the physical crucible of the English Championship to now having a World Cup berth with Team USA right in his hands. Or, make that, on his feet.
“Right now, I’m focusing on doing my best with the boys here and just enjoying it and obviously working hard, putting my best effort front, taking care of the business here,” said Agyemang, who had five goals in 12 caps for the U.S. in 2025.
“Then when I go back (to the Championship), it’s the same thing. Try to take it each day at a time. I’ve been trying to do that the whole year, and I feel like I’ve been doing that to my best ability. So I just want to continue doing it until the end of the season and potentially the World Cup.”
Team USA will be World Cup hosts this summer, and the 25-year-old Agyemang is in a race to earn his way onto that roster.
But it’s not a one-man race.
Folarin Balogun has 13 goals in all competitions for AS Monaco in Ligue 1. Ricardo Pepi — with another 13 in all competitions for PSV Eindhoven — has been in talks for a move to Fulham in the English Premiership.
And Coventry City top scorer Haji Wright was in the mix until an injury opened the door for Agyemang.
“It’s good to see all the boys doing well,” Agyemang said. “With the national team, it’s always competitive. You’re competing against a lot of top guys, and all those boys are really good players. It’s just me focusing on myself. I like to dial into what I can control and keep working hard. It’s a great feeling just to be in the mix. You just want to keep working hard, to push yourself in order to be hopefully selected.”
Agyemang doesn’t have the big-club pedigree of Balogun, developed at powerhouse Arsenal. No, he was more self-made at DIII Eastern Connecticut State University before moving on to Atlantic 10 member Rhode Island and the Western Mass Pioneers of USL League Two. All are a far cry from the World Cup.
But in 2023 he got drafted by Charlotte, and used 2 ½ strong MLS seasons as a springboard to Derby County. He’s hit the ground running with 10 goals in the English Championship, and is convinced he can carry that form over into these tuneups vs. Belgium and Portugal.
“When I got to England, it was obviously an adjustment factor. But as I’ve grown into the person and player I am now, it’s been amazing,” Agyemang said. “I feel myself building in all types of areas, on and off the field, and I think it could obviously translate here.”
So does Agyemang’s ex-Charlotte teammate Tim Ream, who spent a dozen years playing in England.
“You just never know with the Championship what kind of reaction you’re going to get from guys, especially someone like him who got a very unique path to where he’s gotten to now,” Ream said. “He’s in a place mentally and physically that he feels good. And when you feel good, you feel like you can do anything.
“It’s tough going over and settling in, being from a different country and being on your own and being with a new group and a new team. Yes, football is football wherever you go, but I watch him and he’s playing confident. And he’s scoring goals. As a striker, that’s your job. You want to score goals. And double digits in his first year, that says a lot to me. So it’s great to see it.”
