USMNT Stars Shine: Midfielder Breaks Four-Year Goal Drought in Stellar Week
With only two weeks remaining, USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino will announce the U.S. men's national team squad for March exhibition matches against Belgium and Portugal as the 2026 World Cup approaches.
This week marks the countdown passing 100 days until the USMNT's June 12 opener versus Paraguay. Consequently, the pressure intensifies for players competing for roster positions.
Several players have risen to meet this challenge and improved their performances.
Here, Sports Illustrated examines four of the top U.S. performers from around the globe during the past week.
Yunus Musah
Yunus Musah
A FIRST SERIE A GOAL FOR AMERICAN YUNUS MUSAH 🇺🇸🔥 pic.twitter.com/WPNdD4EB9V
Yunus Musah is making every effort to secure his place in Pochettino's squad.
This past Sunday, the Atalanta midfielder achieved a significant breakthrough, scoring his inaugural Serie A goal and ending a four-year scoring drought during a 2–1 away defeat to Sassuolo. Musah's strike occurred in the match's closing three minutes. The 23-year-old made a perfectly timed run into the penalty area before delivering a one-touch finish from Davide Zappacosta's cross to reduce the margin to one goal.
His previous competitive club goal had been scored for Valencia against Atlético Madrid in January 2022.
Although his 15 Serie A matches and three starting appearances are noteworthy, this represents his lowest playing time in his professional career. Nevertheless, he has demonstrated improvement since entering 2026, featuring in seven matches thus far this year.
Despite the increasing time since his final USMNT selection in March 2025, he remains optimistic about making the World Cup roster.
He previously informed Sports Illustrated that he viewed Pochettino's frequent rotation as "chances to evaluate numerous different players."
Breaking his goal drought represents a crucial step toward returning to international consideration. If selected, Musah would contribute valuable experience as a regular starter during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Folarin Balogun
Folarin Balogun
Folarin Balogun currently stands as the most prolific U.S. forward, recording his 12th goal in all competitions during Monaco's 2–0 Ligue 1 victory over Angers on Saturday. This marked his sixth league goal.
While competition for the USMNT's lead striker position has intensified recently, Balogun's consistent scoring is settling those debates. At the very least, he's guaranteed a starting opportunity during the March international window.
With his most recent goal, he has now found the net four times in his past four appearances and hopes to maintain this momentum against Paris Saint-Germain on Friday, a side against whom he scored twice in the UEFA Champions League last month.
Haji Wright
Haji Wright
While Balogun builds confidence through his scoring streak, Haji Wright ensures he doesn't become complacent.
He featured for 79 minutes in Coventry City's 2-1 triumph over Stoke City on Saturday in the English Championship, extending his tally to 16 goals across all competitions.
Among those strikes, 15 have come in league action, placing him second in the pursuit of the second tier's Golden Boot, trailing Swansea City's Žan Vipotnik by just one goal.
Although the Championship may not match the quality of many opponents Balogun faces in Ligue 1 and Champions League, it has proven advantageous for American forwards. Wright's production potentially positions him as the second choice currently, ahead of Derby County's Patrick Agyemang and Toronto FC's Josh Sargent.
Julian Hall
Julian Hall
Julian Hall may not be a viable candidate for 2026, but he's someone worth monitoring for 2030, particularly considering his impressive beginning to what is already his fourth MLS campaign.
The 17-year-old Red Bull New York forward has been clinical in the season's opening two weeks, netting three goals from six attempts, including a double on opening day versus Orlando City and another strike in a 1–0 victory over the New England Revolution this past weekend.
Under the guidance of manager Michael Bradley, a former USMNT captain, Hall is spearheading a youth revolution for RBNY and will likely receive appropriate development, given Bradley's background as the former RBNY II coach in MLS Next Pro.
Will the 17-year-old claim the MLS Golden Boot this season? Unlikely, but it represents an encouraging beginning for the New York City native, regardless.