The newest American sensation has been born!
After a hot start in the under-20 world cup, scoring three goals in the first two games, Josh Sargent has burst onto the U.S. soccer scene.
The 17-year-old forward has quickly become one of the U.S. hottest prospects. Here are some things to know about Sargent.
Born and raised in the St. Louis suburb of O’Fallon, Sargent grew up in a soccer-rich area. In fact, he currently plays for the club St. Louis Scott Gallagher, which is the same club U.S defender Tim Ream, former U.S. forward Taylor Twellman and U.S. assistant coach Pat Noonan played for.
Sargent’s rise to fame came during the under-17 World Cup qualifiers earlier this year, scoring five goals and assisting two in five games.
From that point on, U.S. under-20 coach Tab Ramos saw the same thing in him that many different MLS and European clubs see. He saw a young, confident forward who is made for the big occasion.
Ramos trusted him enough to call him into the under-20 team and start him during the under-20 World Cup. And boy did that selection pay off for him.
Sargent is the typical number nine striker. He is good at holding up play, he is strong on the ball, but also deceivingly quick. But, the most impressive thing about his game is how clinical he is in front of goal.
If you watch his most recent goal versus Senegal, he shows both his clinical nature and his ability to use his body and turn. His turn was brilliant and it set him up perfectly for the goal. Once he turned the defender it was over, he was not missing. All three goals he’s scored so far at the U-20 World Cup shows just how well-rounded his game really is. He’s scored with both feet and his head, all in clinical fashion.
Rumor has it, Sargent will sign with German club Werder Bremen when he turns 18. If true, it means yet again, U.S. soccer will have another young prospect in one of Europe’s top leagues.
From the suburbs of St. Louis to the limelight of U.S. Soccer, Sargent’s rise to fame has just begun. His impressive ability to score goals makes him one of U.S.’s hottest prospects and definitely one to watch for the future.